Poll
Question:
Do you have a threshold for showing Shaka the door in March?
Option 1: No. None. You're overreacting and insane. He took us to a S16 FFS! A S16!!!
votes: 113
Option 2: Last place in the BE with a statement he's not going to the portal.
votes: 87
Option 3: Sub-500 in conference with a statement he's not going to the portal
votes: 35
Option 4: Missing the NCATT - we can still make it right?
votes: 0
Option 5: Why wait until the end of the season?
votes: 5
Option 6: Arbys
votes: 12
We're getting worse. Players have regressed. To fall this far, this fast, when this is the team you've spent the last 4 years recruiting... Couple that with the underperformance in the tourney since he's been here. Anything that would make you want to show Shaka the door at the end of THIS year?
The answer is no but without the hyperbole in your no option. He has had 4 straight top 25 teams. You don't fire the coach after one bad year. Now, if next year is a similar disaster and Shaka hasnt made real attempts to change things his seat gets hot real quick.
Anyone else in the world is willing to take this job. As long as there is another candidate, I'm showing him the door.
If he drops his pants and takes a dump on the Fiserv Foeum floor during a game, maybe.
Otherwise, no.
What happens more from here on out. Marquette wins or games where 1SE does NOT start a new poll after?
I'm perfectly fine giving Shaka a mulligan so long as he has the humility to acknowledge his team building philosophy needs a serious overhaul.
Quote from: 1SE on December 06, 2025, 03:36:32 PMWe're getting worse. Players have regressed. To fall this far, this fast, when this is the team you've spent the last 4 years recruiting... Couple that with the underperformance in the tourney since he's been here. Anything that would make you want to show Shaka the door at the end of THIS year?
NCAAT underperformance is always conveniently ignored by the "But look at our two 2 and 7 seeds!" crowd here.
This team is an absolute abomination and there should be serious questions asked of the coaching staff and the direction of the program. Down seasons happen but this is so far beyond a bad season. We've been borderline competitive in two of our non buy games and looked horrible in our buy games/should've lost to valpo.
Absolutely pathetic and Shaka should be ashamed of himself thinking this roster could even come close to getting it done this season.
Quote from: Small Orange Soda on December 06, 2025, 03:46:35 PMI'm perfectly fine giving Shaka a mulligan so long as he has the humility to acknowledge his team building philosophy needs a serious overhaul.
That...will..never happen
Quote from: Johnny B on December 06, 2025, 03:42:23 PMThe answer is no but without the hyperbole in your no option. He has had 4 straight top 25 teams. You don't fire the coach after one bad year. Now, if next year is a similar disaster and Shaka hasnt made real attempts to change things his seat gets hot real quick.
If he publicly affirms that he's sticking with RGV and not going to the portal, or heck, even if the doesn't publicly affirm he WILL be going to the portal (and give back 500k of his salary next year to boost the pool ala Harbaugh or Venables - saving the "Rs") , there's no "if" about next year being a similar disaster.
This team is SO FAR below what any of us had expected 40 days ago - and it's a combination of players that can't play and a coach that can't coach. A bubble-team would have been disappointing but forgivable/understandable. Fighting for last place in a super weak BE (which I'd say feels more likely than not at this point) is unacceptable from a guy making 3 million a year.
Quote from: wadesworld on December 06, 2025, 03:46:20 PMWhat happens more from here on out. Marquette wins or games where 1SE does NOT start a new poll after?
Certainly polls.
Quote from: Small Orange Soda on December 06, 2025, 03:46:35 PMI'm perfectly fine giving Shaka a mulligan so long as he has the humility to acknowledge his team building philosophy needs a serious overhaul.
Hahahaha that's good stuff. Color me skeptical.
If he doesn't dip into the portal and next year is the same, I think he should be fired. If he dips into the portal and we seem to have righted the ship, even if it's not a tournament, I'm good with it.
If he continues to resist the portal, he's not the right coach for this time.
I absolutely want to keep Shaka as our coach. But ..
RGV was a theory and it's clearly been proven as untenable in today's NCAA world.
If Shaka refuses to start using the portal like all other teams, then MU would need to find a coach who will, or fold up the tents.
Uhh ... I thought Shaka makes more like
5 million to work on RGV.
Quote from: mu_hilltopper on December 06, 2025, 03:56:32 PMI absolutely want to keep Shaka as our coach. But ..
RGV was a theory and it's clearly been proven as untenable in today's NCAA world.
If Shaka refuses to start using the portal like all other teams, then MU would need to find a coach who will, or fold up the tents.
Exactly. If he fails to make the adjustments and triples down on RGV, I'd want him out. He won't get fired though, he'd end up quitting after another year or so.
The hyperbole in the no option is ridiculous it ignores the conference championship sweep, the fact that he's gone to four tournaments straight, including back to back of our highest seed ever, reached the highest we've been ranked since 1978, the immediate rebuild, the 2 all Americans, the 4 draft picks.
I mean come on, reducing his tenure to "a S16!" is ridiculous. Next year doubling down on RGV with a similar zero growth season washes away the two years that are keeping him here. Essentially I'm considering last year and his first year minimum expectations. 2023 & 2024 bought him a mulligan year. Next would have to be doubling down and it working or admitting it needs to be changed and then it working out.
Quote from: mu_hilltopper on December 06, 2025, 03:56:32 PMI absolutely want to keep Shaka as our coach. But ..
RGV was a theory and it's clearly been proven as untenable in today's NCAA world.
If Shaka refuses to start using the portal like all other teams, then MU would need to find a coach who will, or fold up the tents.
Yes, an experiment that would have been cool had it succeeded but clearly hasn't.
But might as well fess up to that publicly now - maybe you get a few guys to transfer out which opens up some roster slots to bring 2 or 3 guys in.
Quote from: Galway Eagle on December 06, 2025, 04:06:29 PMThe hyperbole in the no option is ridiculous it ignores the conference championship sweep, the fact that he's gone to four tournaments straight, including back to back of our highest seed ever, reached the highest we've been ranked since 1978, the immediate rebuild, the 2 all Americans, the 4 draft picks.
I mean come on, reducing his tenure to "a S16!" is ridiculous. Next year doubling down on RGV with a similar zero growth season washes away the two years that are keeping him here. Essentially I'm considering last year and his first year minimum expectations. 2023 & 2024 bought him a mulligan year. Next would have to be doubling down and it working or admitting it needs to be changed and then it working out.
2025 was his mulligan year.
Nothing
Refusing to fix this
Not cleaning house of about 3-5 guys currently on this team that do not and will not ever be able to help the team win.
He gets this offseason to fix this. If next year is still a problem, he's gone after next year.
It is not happening this year. The only way there is a change this offseason is if Shaka leaves on his own.
Quote from: JTJ3 on December 06, 2025, 04:24:30 PMThe only way there is a change this offseason is if Shaka leaves on his own.
This wouldn't be all that surprising to me. Several prominent coaches have stepped down due to not wanting to deal with the current climate of the game.
The fact that this is his 5th year team and could shape it any way he wanted is really perplexing.
Quote from: 1SE on December 06, 2025, 04:12:05 PM2025 was his mulligan year.
So for everything I mentioned, after graduating a 2x All American and second team all conference player, your "mulligan" is making the tournament as a single digit seed? Last year his coaching was great, his two main beyond the arc players suddenly forgot how to shoot but they still got plenty of open looks.
That's not a mulligan to me but different strokes.
Quote from: ATL MU Warrior on December 06, 2025, 04:18:46 PMNot cleaning house of about 3-5 guys currently on this team that do not and will not ever be able to help the team win.
Absolutely! It has been mentioned in previous posts that if you're really going to have a good relationship with players then you're going to have to be honest about where they could really succeed. I am sorry to say it but there are guys I want gone, not from personal animosity but from concern that they will never be able to contribute meaningfully to an MU team.
The Shaka recruiting shtick that "We won't recruit over you" needs to be amended to "We won't recruit over you IF you develop and progress according to reasonable expectations." You cannot succeed with recruiting misses/lack of development. The coach is being paid a pantload of money and is going to have to field a competitive team or be gone. He is going to have to admit that if a prospect doesn't really have a chance to become a productive BE player, then
he needs to be honest with said prospect and let him go to where he can do better. He is also
going to have to look at the broader picture and look at teams improving by using the portal.
Quote from: 1SE on December 06, 2025, 04:08:44 PMmaybe you get a few guys to transfer out which opens up some roster slots to bring 2 or 3 guys in.
This isn't your father's NCAA. You don't "get" a few guys to transfer out.
Players are jumping to the portal on their whim, no reason not to fire kids who aren't good enough. It goes both ways now.
It's always been a business. Now it's just more brazen.
Quote from: mileskishnish72 on December 06, 2025, 04:41:30 PMAbsolutely! It has been mentioned in previous posts that if you're really going to have a good relationship with players then you're going to have to be honest about where they could really succeed. I am sorry to say it but there are guys I want gone, not from personal animosity but from concern that they will never be able to contribute meaningfully to an MU team.
The Shaka recruiting shtick that "We won't recruit over you" needs to be amended to "We won't recruit over you IF you develop and progress according to reasonable expectations." You cannot succeed with recruiting misses/lack of development. The coach is being paid a pantload of money and is going to have to field a competitive team or be gone. He is going to have to admit that if a prospect doesn't really have a chance to become a productive BE player, then
he needs to be honest with said prospect and let him go to where he can do better. He is also
going to have to look at the broader picture and look at teams improving by using the portal.
I don't recall Shaka ever saying "I won't recruit over you".
Quote from: Vander Blue Man Group on December 06, 2025, 04:47:14 PMI don't recall Shaka ever saying "I won't recruit over you".
In a Marquette Today interview, Smart reiterated: "We have made a decision and a commitment to the guys in our program. Yes, we could have gone in the transfer portal and recruited some other guys, but we feel like it would have stunted their growth."
I'm worried for him.
Think there is a chance he gets canned after the year if he's not willing to change his portal stance. This season is going to be one we never want to think about ever again after it is over...and we are lined up for much of the same next year.
He needs to add Seniors after this season through the portal or he's a goner and we will be back to starting over.
Quote from: GoldenEagles03 on December 06, 2025, 04:59:05 PMI'm worried for him.
Think there is a chance he gets canned after the year if he's not willing to change his portal stance. This season is going to be one we never want to think about ever again after it is over...and we are lined up for much of the same next year.
He needs to add Seniors after this season through the portal or he's a goner and we will be back to starting over.
He's not getting axed after this season. But if 2026-27 isn't monumentally better, meaning a tourney team, I think he'll be shown the door. And if we don't use the portal at all, I think making the tournament next season will likely not happen.
I was ok with this being a rebuilding year and not making the tournament, but there is zero reason for a program with these resources and support to be on trajectory to lose 20 games (possibly more). The eye test shows that and the advanced data supports that (on pace for a 20-loss season).
If Smart and staff thought this was a BE-caliber team, that is a glaring concern with their roster development and talent assessment. If they did not think that, and ignored opportunities to improve roster when they could have, that too is a glaring concern. In either case, this year (as it develops) is a big red flag moving beyond this year.
If the bottom falls out this season, all options should be on table (especially since other programs will be after our young players and if they bolt, there'd be little reason to not start new).
Quote from: GoldenEagles03 on December 06, 2025, 04:59:05 PMI'm worried for him.
Think there is a chance he gets canned after the year if he's not willing to change his portal stance. This season is going to be one we never want to think about ever again after it is over...and we are lined up for much of the same next year.
He needs to add Seniors after this season through the portal or he's a goner and we will be back to starting over.
I just don't see them firing him, regardless how bad this season goes. I'm not advocating he should keep his job, but the leadership at MU seems to love Shaka and they can easily call this a rebuilding year after some very successful seasons. They know that's an overly simplistic position, but they'll go with it for public consumption anyway.
Quote from: HutchwasClutch on December 06, 2025, 05:06:55 PMI just don't see them firing him, regardless how bad this season goes. I'm not advocating he should keep his job, but the leadership at MU seems to love Shaka and they can easily call this a rebuilding year after some very successful seasons. They know that's an overly simplistic position, but they'll go with it for public consumption anyway.
I didn't think they would either...but this is his 5th season and it is going to be the first time in what? 30 years they had a sub .500 non con. They are going to win maybe 10 to 12 games. That's fireable. Not sure they will either, but if they did, it is warranted.
Quote from: GoldenEagles03 on December 06, 2025, 05:13:55 PMI didn't think they would either...but this is his 5th season and it is going to be the first time in what? 30 years they had a sub .500 non con. They are going to win maybe 10 to 12 games. That's fireable. Not sure they will either, but if they did, it is warranted.
Agree
You think about a year ago......pretty shocking what this has come to
Quote from: GoldenEagles03 on December 06, 2025, 05:13:55 PMI didn't think they would either...but this is his 5th season and it is going to be the first time in what? 30 years they had a sub .500 non con. They are going to win maybe 10 to 12 games. That's fireable. Not sure they will either, but if they did, it is warranted.
The BEast isn't very good. Right now we're probably 10/11 but it's not inconceivable we could pick up more wins than people think. I'm not saying this changes anything. Just throwing it out there.
Quote from: MuggsyB on December 06, 2025, 05:19:35 PMThe BEast isn't very good. Right now we're probably 10/11 but it's not inconceivable we could pick up more wins than people think. I'm not saying this changes anything. Just throwing it out there.
We are so much worse than everyone in the Big East aside from maybe DePaul. Xavier looks better. Seton Hall is actually good.
It's going to be very very bad.
Quote from: GoldenEagles03 on December 06, 2025, 05:20:50 PMWe are so much worse than everyone in the Big East aside from maybe DePaul. Xavier looks better. Seton Hall is actually good.
It's going to be very very bad.
Are you predicting 4-16?
Quote from: HutchwasClutch on December 06, 2025, 05:06:55 PMI just don't see them firing him, regardless how bad this season goes. I'm not advocating he should keep his job, but the leadership at MU seems to love Shaka and they can easily call this a rebuilding year after some very successful seasons. They know that's an overly simplistic position, but they'll go with it for public consumption anyway.
I think the administration overestimates the fanbase's love of the RGV model. I don't think most fans are in the "I'm happy we don't take transfers" boat.
Quote from: MUbiz on December 06, 2025, 04:56:34 PMIn a Marquette Today interview, Smart reiterated: "We have made a decision and a commitment to the guys in our program. Yes, we could have gone in the transfer portal and recruited some other guys, but we feel like it would have stunted their growth."
I guess I should have been more clear - I meant recruiting over someone out of high school.
Quote from: Small Orange Soda on December 06, 2025, 05:23:58 PMI think the administration overestimates the fanbase's love of the RGV model. I don't think most fans are in the "I'm happy we don't take transfers" boat.
I agree how fans generally feel, but I don't think leadership sees that or maybe better put, doesn't want to see/hear that.
Maybe if attendance tanks, I don't know.
Quote from: GoldenEagles03 on December 06, 2025, 04:59:05 PMThink there is a chance he gets canned after the year if he's not willing to change his portal stance.
He's really got to, if he wants to keep coaching college ball.
Zero of the top ~50 programs would hire a new coach who refuses to use the portal in 2025.
It's .. unamusing that in the wikipedia page about college basketball, there'll be a section devoted to RGV and how Shaka Smart of Marquette disproved it as a winning strategy.
Quote from: Small Orange Soda on December 06, 2025, 05:23:58 PMI think the administration overestimates the fanbase's love of the RGV model. I don't think most fans are in the "I'm happy we don't take transfers" boat.
Fans are vehemently unhappy right now SOS. And I think somewhat in shock with how bad we are. Again, this is a team somewhere in the vicinity of #300 in the nation.
Quote from: GoldenEagles03 on December 06, 2025, 05:13:55 PMI didn't think they would either...but this is his 5th season and it is going to be the first time in what? 30 years they had a sub .500 non con. They are going to win maybe 10 to 12 games. That's fireable. Not sure they will either, but if they did, it is warranted.
i posted this during halftime of the game thread but more appropriate here...
(I know nothing about Marquette's new Prez. Does he understand the importance of men's basketball to this school? Not just the history, the pedigree, but its importance in funding the overall athletic program? Or, how applications increase in correlation to basketball success? The AD, Broeker. I'll assume he does understand these things. But, how aggressive is Broeker? A yes man, or does he have a spine? Yeah, Shaka is back next year. But if it's more RGV, more of this garbage, we'll officially be in DePaul's neighborhood. Never ever thought we'd decline like this.)
Quote from: MuggsyB on December 06, 2025, 05:22:10 PMAre you predicting 4-16?
I don't know. If they win more than 8 I would be surprised.
Quote from: mu_hilltopper on December 06, 2025, 05:28:09 PMHe's really got to, if he wants to keep coaching college ball.
Zero of the top ~50 programs would hire a new coach who refuses to use the portal in 2025.
It's .. unamusing that in the wikipedia page about college basketball, there'll be a section devoted to RGV and how Shaka Smart of Marquette disproved it as a winning strategy.
I would just like him to take transfers and stay! He is clearly a guy that players want to play for. According to almost everyone, we have money to get good players. So the fact that he doesn't use the portal is just irresponsible at this point. He's doing it for no other reason than to just not go against his original idea that he thought would work.
A good coach recognizes his weaknesses and adapts.
Once again,
If only we showed this level of apathy to a coach when wojo was around.
An 0 win BE season will be fun to watch
Quote from: GoldenEagles03 on December 06, 2025, 05:20:50 PMWe are so much worse than everyone in the Big East aside from maybe DePaul. Xavier looks better. Seton Hall is actually good.
Currently (statistically) we're battling Georgetown for 9th place. DePaul should be worse that both of us, but Marquette is still an underdog @ DePaul
Quote from: #UnleashNigel on December 06, 2025, 05:45:09 PMOnce again,
If only we showed this level of apathy to a coach when wojo was around.
Wojo never had a team this bad in advanced metrics. The only one even close was his 1st team ever as a head coach.
Edit: and this team's #s are still being propped up by last year's #s
I'm not saying it happens...
But, if they go 3 - 17 and he still sez he won't go to the Portal, does he get canned ?
We can't win the Horizon League this year. Hamilton should be at UW-GB. We have 2 players in Chase and James. Parham has regressed. Gold hasn't improved in 4 years. Don't know where Owens is. Can't rebound or box out. Missed too many layups. If Shaka stays out of portal next year- he should be on hot seat.
Quote from: Galway Eagle on December 06, 2025, 04:41:17 PMLast year his coaching was great, his two main beyond the arc players suddenly forgot how to shoot but they still got plenty of open looks.
That's not a mulligan to me but different strokes.
This is just wrong. His coaching last year was his worst since he's been at Marquette, hands down. The reason Kam forgot how to shoot is Shaka ran him into the ground with an unsustainable usage rate. The guy was running on fumes from February on. And because Shaka was convinced Sean would be back to himself (crazy) he didn't attempt to remedy our lack of ball handlers and creators.
This all seemed pretty obvious.
Quote from: rocky_warrior on December 06, 2025, 05:49:44 PMWojo never had a team this bad in advanced metrics. The only one even close was his 1st team ever as a head coach.
Edit: and this team's #s are still being propped up by last year's #s
This is rather disturbing.
Today was a mirror of the IU game. In addition to our shooting woes, we disintegrate mentally. That's not a good combination. Are IU and Whisky better than us? Yes. Are they drop 100 on us better and blow-out city better? No. That's just my opinion.
Quote from: Mu8891 on December 06, 2025, 05:51:52 PMI'm not saying it happens...
But, if they go 3 - 17 and he still sez he won't go to the Portal, does he get canned ?
No.
Quote from: Mu8891 on December 06, 2025, 05:51:52 PMI'm not saying it happens...
But, if they go 3 - 17 and he still sez he won't go to the Portal, does he get canned ?
Only if those in charge are willing to have a chat with him about it. If no one says anything he will roll into next year, lose as much as we do this year and then act shocked when he gets canned after next year.
Shaka sighting at Gesu tonight
Quote from: MarquetteMike1977 on December 06, 2025, 06:23:48 PMShaka sighting at Gesu tonight
did you get a selfie? (not sure even the Lord can't help this team hit a 3)
Quote from: Don_Kojis on December 06, 2025, 05:52:46 PMWe have 2 players in Chase and James. Parham has regressed.
Stevens will be a good Big East-starter-level player. Parham was much more aggressive offensively today and has played better recently. I'm not casting either of them aside as failures.
Quote from: GoldenEagles03 on December 06, 2025, 06:06:26 PMOnly if those in charge are willing to have a chat with him about it. If no one says anything he will roll into next year, lose as much as we do this year and then act shocked when he gets canned after next year.
You're allowed an opinion, just as we all are, but you don't know Shaka will stubbornly stick to this philosophy if this season goes as bad as it appears it will. I mean, you were 100% certain that he would bench James the minute Jones was healthy enough to play because you were sure Shaka wouldn't have the "balls" to keep starting James.
Quote from: MU82 on December 06, 2025, 06:36:35 PMYou're allowed an opinion, just as we all are, but you don't know Shaka will stubbornly stick to this philosophy if this season goes as bad as it appears it will. I mean, you were 100% certain that he would bench James the minute Jones was healthy enough to play because you were sure Shaka wouldn't have the "balls" to keep starting James.
https://x.com/i/status/1997435176217878529
https://x.com/i/status/1997435467353014419
This thread sure isn't very inspiring.
Quote from: GoldenEagles03 on December 06, 2025, 06:38:24 PMhttps://x.com/i/status/1997435176217878529
https://x.com/i/status/1997435467353014419
This thread sure isn't very inspiring.
I've heard the "we're good in practice" line enough times.
"We're not going to cancel this season, if that's what you're asking. We believe in growth..."
That's some pissy ass response. Either he doesn't respect the reporter or he is feeling some pressure.
Kind of disappointing either way.
The personnel choices are still criminal. It's absolutely insane.
Quote from: GoldenEagles03 on December 06, 2025, 06:38:24 PMhttps://x.com/i/status/1997435176217878529
https://x.com/i/status/1997435467353014419
This thread sure isn't very inspiring.
Uhhhhh.....I don't think this is going to assuage MU fans' frustration and anxiety. It could lead to more wrath frankly.
Quote from: MuggsyB on December 06, 2025, 05:22:10 PMAre you predicting 4-16?
The way this team is playing right now there is zero chance we win 4 conference games. We will go winless on the road. We might have a few games at home where we put it all together and eke out a win against a DePaul or ???
This team can't prevent anybody from getting whatever they want offensively. If we don't turn the other team over there is a very high chance they get a layup, dunk or wide open 3. On the other end, we can't shoot. That's not going to get it done.
Quote from: GoldenEagles03 on December 06, 2025, 06:38:24 PMhttps://x.com/i/status/1997435176217878529
https://x.com/i/status/1997435467353014419
This thread sure isn't very inspiring.
You knew he'd point to that meaningless run the last 5 minutes as evidence of "growth". Any time he's asked about the portal or the state of the program he gets pissy and defensive (Ben Steele after Dayton, Jack today) and points to results stemming from a completely different recruiting philosophy.
If you read his quotes after these games and think that's a guy willing to admit he was wrong? I've got a bridge to sell you.
Quote from: ATL MU Warrior on December 06, 2025, 06:53:08 PMThe way this team is playing right now there is zero chance we win 4 conference games. We will go winless on the road. We might have a few games at home where we put it all together and eke out a win against a DePaul or ???
This team can't prevent anybody from getting whatever they want offensively. If we don't turn the other team over there is a very high chance they get a layup, dunk or wide open 3. On the other end, we can't shoot. That's not going to get it done.
I'll happily bet you we win more than 4 conference games this year. Let me know - here's the bet --- $400, if they get to 4 wins or less, you win... if they get 5 win or more, I win. Simple. Let me know.
Quote from: MuggsyB on December 06, 2025, 06:51:00 PMUhhhhh.....I don't think this is going to assuage MU fans' frustration and anxiety. It could lead to more wrath frankly.
I'm all in favor of giving Shaka a Mulligan this year, but that was piss poor communications to the public. I really hope he comes back later with a more reasonable response and we chalk it up to being pissed off from the game.
Says something about talent assessment when MU is playing this poorly and two freshmen will soon be, if they are not already, 2 of the top 3 players on the team.
I doubt Shaka gets the shown the door at the end of this season, but he'd be wise to shake up his staff. The talent assessment has been poor and the player fit with how MU wants to play is similarly poor. I think Shaka's way of team building can work but you can't miss on as many players as MU has. He'll have to hit the portal to turn the team around next season. With the exception of Ross, the only potential high level BE players on the roster are freshmen.
Quote from: WhiteTrash on December 06, 2025, 06:56:43 PMI'm all in favor of giving Shaka a Mulligan this year, but that was piss poor communications to the public. I really hope he comes back later with a more reasonable response and we chalk it up to being pissed off from the game.
If you follow what he says after each of these games, THIS is the message. This is it, every time.
Quote from: Jay Bee on December 06, 2025, 06:55:36 PMI'll happily bet you we win more than 4 conference games this year. Let me know - here's the bet --- $400, if they get to 4 wins or less, you win... if they get 5 win or more, I win. Simple. Let me know.
I don't know that I want to make a bet where I am actually put in a position to root for my favorite team to lose. Let me tell think about it.
Quote from: WhiteTrash on December 06, 2025, 06:56:43 PMI'm all in favor of giving Shaka a Mulligan this year, but that was piss poor communications to the public. I really hope he comes back later with a more reasonable response and we chalk it up to being pissed off from the game.
I couldn't agree more. This isn't what fans want to hear right now. We're not watching our kids play T-Ball.
You know Ners is sideways about all this Shaka criticism. #shakaslurper
Shaka's postgame pressers follow a simple formula: Start with a snippy response to a perfectly reasonable question, mention how we were good the last few years, then talk about growth.
Quote from: Biggie Clausen on December 06, 2025, 07:04:28 PMShaka's postgame pressers follow a simple formula: Start with a snippy response to a perfectly reasonable question, mention how we were good the last few years, then talk about growth.
We want a shower not a grower #pawz
Quote from: GoldenEagles03 on December 06, 2025, 06:38:24 PMhttps://x.com/i/status/1997435176217878529
https://x.com/i/status/1997435467353014419
This thread sure isn't very inspiring.
Do you really think he'd say he's reconsidered the portal 1/3 of the way through the season when he's trying to build confidence with the current team?
Use some common sense.
The reason we're ahead in practice is because we're scrimmaging against a bad team (ourselves).
Quote from: onepost on December 06, 2025, 07:02:11 PMIf you follow what he says after each of these games, THIS is the message. This is it, every time.
I guess I really don't follow that closely, but to twist a question into a some assumption that MU will cancel the season is very immature and pathetic.
I support him still being positive and sounding unreasonable at that, but "cancel the season" BS is bush league for a high major coach. He's acting like the reporter and fans are idiots.
Quote from: Vander Blue Man Group on December 06, 2025, 07:13:08 PMDo you really think he'd say he's reconsidered the portal 1/3 of the way through the season when he's trying to build confidence with the current team?
Use some common sense.
I have a high degree of respect for Shaka and I 100% believe he is reconsidering his strategy, but I agree he would not and should not express that right now.
Quote from: Vander Blue Man Group on December 06, 2025, 07:13:08 PMDo you really think he'd say he's reconsidered the portal 1/3 of the way through the season when he's trying to build confidence with the current team?
Use some common sense.
I don't think that's what he's suggesting. It's about showing some frustration or anger about how we're playing. It's about being pissed that we look like one of the absolute worst teams in the country. He said our win over Valpo was gritty and character building? This is a la-la-land response and not the least bit motivating or encouraging.
Quote from: MuggsyB on December 06, 2025, 07:18:46 PMI don't think that's what he's suggesting. It's about showing some frustration or anger about how we're playing. It's about being pissed that we look like one of the absolute worst teams in the country. He said our win over Valpo was gritty and character building? This is a la-la-land response and not the least bit motivating or encouraging.
Who cares and what difference does it make?
It's not his job to assuage upset fans with meaningless anger or frustration during a press conference. That's not going to do any good.
Now, I do think he's been too defensive and snarky when asked perfectly reasonable questions about the portal and team struggles. He certainly needs to be better when it comes to that.
Quote from: WhiteTrash on December 06, 2025, 07:15:59 PMI guess I really don't follow that closely, but to twist a question into a some assumption that MU will cancel the season is very immature and pathetic.
I support him still being positive and sounding unreasonable at that, but "cancel the season" BS is bush league for a high major coach. He's acting like the reporter and fans are idiots.
He did the same shiit with Ben Steele after Dayton. Ben asked about portal usage and Shaka said "Are YOU asking me that, Ben? No? Ok then I don't need to answer it." He's acted like a brat.
No one is saying he needs to admit he was totally wrong and he's gonna ship off half the time and portal his ass off. But he's been so defiant and offended at tepid questions from MU homer reporters (I say lovingly, cause Ben and Jack do awesome work) that it lends he truly believes what he's doing is the best way to go about it. Which is beyond worrisome.
Here's the thing. If we Sha-cut a couple players at the end of the season, does this hurt our recruiting model going forward, given the unique nature of our m.o.? If the guys we cut have trouble securing NIL deals going forward with other teams, will people (HS coaches) make note of that and lead to us losing out on some of the 80-150 ranked players we depend on? I realize it's a tough business and I'm not trying to coddle anyone. Just wondering people's thoughts on the real world effects of people's income going way down bc of a decision a program makes. I know, real world applies and all...
Quote from: Vander Blue Man Group on December 06, 2025, 07:25:26 PMWho cares and what difference does it make?
It's not his job to assuage upset fans with meaningless anger or frustration during a press conference. That's not going to do any good.
Now, I do think he's been too defensive and snarky when asked perfectly reasonable questions about the portal and team struggles. He certainly needs to be better when it comes to that.
I'm not sure coaches get angry or animated to assuage fans. It's a normal human response to this absolute dumpster 🔥.
Quote from: ATL MU Warrior on December 06, 2025, 07:02:50 PMI don't know that I want to make a bet where I am actually put in a position to root for my favorite team to lose. Let me tell think about it.
Not sure what "let me tell think about it" means, but I'm guessing it means, "I said some crap I didn't really mean ooops"... I'll let you have a little more -- 5 wins. 5 wins or less, you win $400. 6 or more I win.
Quote from: GoldenEagles03 on December 06, 2025, 06:38:24 PMhttps://x.com/i/status/1997435176217878529
https://x.com/i/status/1997435467353014419
This thread sure isn't very inspiring.
This does not refute what I said.
Also, this:
Quote from: Vander Blue Man Group on December 06, 2025, 07:13:08 PMDo you really think he'd say he's reconsidered the portal 1/3 of the way through the season when he's trying to build confidence with the current team?
Use some common sense.
Quote from: MuggsyB on December 06, 2025, 07:30:37 PMI'm not sure coaches get angry or animated to assuage fans. It's a normal human response to this absolute dumpster 🔥.
Being frustrated is normal.
You're saying you want to see him angry at a press conference. That's dumb and pointless and unproductive.
Quote from: rocky_warrior on December 06, 2025, 05:49:44 PMWojo never had a team this bad in advanced metrics. The only one even close was his 1st team ever as a head coach.
Edit: and this team's #s are still being propped up by last year's #s
Yes he did. Year 2. 93 Kenpom.
Quote from: Jay Bee on December 06, 2025, 07:32:05 PMNot sure what "let me tell think about it" means, but I'm guessing it means, "I said some crap I didn't really mean ooops"... I'll let you have a little more -- 5 wins. 5 wins or less, you win $400. 6 or more I win.
Done.
For fun, who do you think they can beat?
Quote from: BM1090 on December 06, 2025, 07:35:04 PMYes he did. Year 2. 93 Kenpom.
1) I'm not fancy enough to pay for kenpom these days. Going with torvik #s
https://barttorvik.com/team-history.php?team=Marquette
2) If you remove last year's adjustments, were worse than 93 :(
Quote from: ATL MU Warrior on December 06, 2025, 07:35:56 PMDone.
For fun, who do you think they can beat?
'they'... We can beat anyone, any night.
Staff just needs to wisen up. Thanks for the $400. Venmo preferred my guy
Quote from: 1SE on December 06, 2025, 03:36:32 PMWe're getting worse. Players have regressed. To fall this far, this fast, when this is the team you've spent the last 4 years recruiting... Couple that with the underperformance in the tourney since he's been here. Anything that would make you want to show Shaka the door at the end of THIS year?
No, nothing.
I'd wager to say that even if Marquette had the worst season in its history this year it would be borderline insanity to even consider moving on from Shaka after the first 4 years he's had at Marquette.
Come on now
Quote from: rocky_warrior on December 06, 2025, 07:37:57 PM1) I'm not fancy enough to pay for kenpom these days. Going with torvik #s
https://barttorvik.com/team-history.php?team=Marquette
2) If you remove last year's adjustments, were worse than 93 :(
Great; tell me about the relevance of this when a guy is talking about Kenpom?
Quote from: Vander Blue Man Group on December 06, 2025, 07:34:33 PMBeing frustrated is normal.
You're saying you want to see him angry at a press conference. That's dumb and pointless and unproductive.
Is saying we're improving in practice productive after getting obliterated?
Quote from: Jay Bee on December 06, 2025, 07:39:00 PM'they'... We can beat anyone, any night.
Staff just needs to wisen up. Thanks for the $400. Venmo preferred my guy
Sure. I'll expect prompt payment at the end of the season.
Quote from: Jay Bee on December 06, 2025, 07:39:52 PMGreat; tell me about the relevance of this when a guy is talking about Kenpom?
He refuted me, I was never using kenpom #s. (Shrug)
Quote from: MuggsyB on December 06, 2025, 07:40:20 PMIs saying we're improving in practice productive after getting obliterated?
GOOD NEWS: 10,000 hook shots made.
BAD NEWS: TOOK 47,320 ATTEMPTS.
Quote from: ATL MU Warrior on December 06, 2025, 07:41:13 PMSure. I'll expect prompt payment at the end of the season.
I will expect prompt payment. Thanks for the dough. At least I'm getting something outta this sh1tty season.
Quote from: GoldenEagles03 on December 06, 2025, 06:38:24 PMhttps://x.com/i/status/1997435176217878529
https://x.com/i/status/1997435467353014419
This thread sure isn't very inspiring.
What the hell does "ahead in practice more than games" mean lol.. what the team is knocking down more meaningless open gym 3s and layups in practice than against actual other teams? No sh it ?
Quote from: Johnny B on December 06, 2025, 07:45:29 PMWhat the hell does "ahead in practice more than games" mean lol.. what the team is knocking down more meaningless open gym 3s and layups in practice than against actual other teams? No sh it ?
I hooped yesterday and shot 25 FT's.
21-25.
Quote from: GoFastAndWin on December 06, 2025, 07:28:33 PMHere's the thing. If we Sha-cut a couple players at the end of the season, does this hurt our recruiting model going forward, given the unique nature of our m.o.? If the guys we cut have trouble securing NIL deals going forward with other teams, will people (HS coaches) make note of that and lead to us losing out on some of the 80-150 ranked players we depend on? I realize it's a tough business and I'm not trying to coddle anyone. Just wondering people's thoughts on the real world affects of people's income going way down bc of a decision a program makes. I know, real world applies and all...
if he's sticking with this model, he needs to recruit better than 80-150 players. He's given up 100 to IU, 96 to UW, and Purdue might be real bad. UConn? Scary. Gotta recruit higher level. Don't want to pay transfers?...pays the HS recruits.
Quote from: MuggsyB on December 06, 2025, 07:40:20 PMIs saying we're improving in practice productive after getting obliterated?
Are you kidding me with this nonsense?
Quote from: Johnny B on December 06, 2025, 07:45:29 PMWhat the hell does "ahead in practice more than games" mean lol.. what the team is knocking down more meaningless open gym 3s and layups in practice than against actual other teams? No sh it ?
It means our team is so bad, they make our team looks good. My brain hurts saying that but it's big facts
Quote from: Johnny B on December 06, 2025, 07:45:29 PMWhat the hell does "ahead in practice more than games" mean lol.. what the team is knocking down more meaningless open gym 3s and layups in practice than against actual other teams? No sh it ?
because we are ahead in practice, we kept UW under 100 today.
Quote from: Jay Bee on December 06, 2025, 06:55:36 PMI'll happily bet you we win more than 4 conference games this year. Let me know - here's the bet --- $400, if they get to 4 wins or less, you win... if they get 5 win or more, I win. Simple. Let me know.
I agree with ya I think they win 5 or 6
Quote from: Jay Bee on December 06, 2025, 07:37:52 PM#FakeNews #Lies
Sorry, we were 93 in year one. We were actually worse in year two. 97.
Got a lot better from there.
Quote from: Johnny B on December 06, 2025, 07:45:29 PMWhat the hell does "ahead in practice more than games" mean lol.. what the team is knocking down more meaningless open gym 3s and layups in practice than against actual other teams? No sh it ?
It means they are better against their bad teammates than good opponents...
Quote from: Biggie Clausen on December 06, 2025, 07:04:28 PMShaka's postgame pressers follow a simple formula: Start with a snippy response to a perfectly reasonable question, mention how we were good the last few years, then talk about growth.
Sounds like a few scoopers
Quote from: Jay Bee on December 06, 2025, 07:32:05 PMNot sure what "let me tell think about it" means, but I'm guessing it means, "I said some crap I didn't really mean ooops"... I'll let you have a little more -- 5 wins. 5 wins or less, you win $400. 6 or more I win.
5? Tempting me with that one
Quote from: Jay Bee on December 06, 2025, 07:39:00 PM'they'... We can beat anyone, any night.
Staff just needs to wisen up. Thanks for the $400. Venmo preferred my guy
What makes you think this, out of curiosity, when they have beaten no one of substance so far?
Quote from: KingKolek on December 06, 2025, 08:35:58 PMWhat makes you think this, out of curiosity, when they have beaten no one of substance so far?
There are many teams of no substance in our league. Would you care to wager as well?
Shaka needs to STFU on the we're better in practice $hit.
As Mike Deane once said to me ...
" No one ever scored a point in practice"
Was Deane sober when he said it?
Quote from: Johnny B on December 06, 2025, 07:45:29 PMWhat the hell does "ahead in practice more than games" mean lol.. what the team is knocking down more meaningless open gym 3s and layups in practice than against actual other teams? No sh it ?
He sounds like any other coach whose team is playing like crap. He was wrong about the talent level of a number of players and that's hard to face.
Hope Tower and Rico are doing okay :(
Worried about them
Quote from: MurphysTillClose on December 06, 2025, 10:44:17 PMHope Tower and Rico are doing okay :(
Worried about them
There was a guy on here for a few years MuGuru. Seemed obsessed with this team to an unhealthy extent. I believe he used to say stuff like a loss would ruin his entire week and stuff like that. Seemed to really effect him beyond normal levels of fan frustration. Dude was odd.
Quote from: Jay Bee on December 06, 2025, 07:39:00 PM'they'... We can beat anyone, any night.
Staff just needs to wisen up. Thanks for the $400. Venmo preferred my guy
Wow, pass me some of that.
Quote from: GoFastAndWin on December 06, 2025, 07:28:33 PMHere's the thing. If we Sha-cut a couple players at the end of the season, does this hurt our recruiting model going forward, given the unique nature of our m.o.? If the guys we cut have trouble securing NIL deals going forward with other teams, will people (HS coaches) make note of that and lead to us losing out on some of the 80-150 ranked players we depend on? I realize it's a tough business and I'm not trying to coddle anyone. Just wondering people's thoughts on the real world affects of people's income going way down bc of a decision a program makes. I know, real world applies and all...
I follow your logic, but this level of performance will eventually cost Shaka his job and then his credibility is of zero concern to everyone. Shaka is too smart to do that.
Quote from: Viper on December 06, 2025, 07:49:19 PMif he's sticking with this model, he needs to recruit better than 80-150 players. He's given up 100 to IU, 96 to UW, and Purdue might be real bad. UConn? Scary. Gotta recruit higher level. Don't want to pay transfers?...pays the HS recruits.
Boom.
Shaka is a great fit for Marquette. I just hope he does what is necessary to win and keep a job here because the fit seems perfect.
Quote from: onepost on December 06, 2025, 05:58:33 PMThis is just wrong. His coaching last year was his worst since he's been at Marquette, hands down. The reason Kam forgot how to shoot is Shaka ran him into the ground with an unsustainable usage rate. The guy was running on fumes from February on. And because Shaka was convinced Sean would be back to himself (crazy) he didn't attempt to remedy our lack of ball handlers and creators.
This all seemed pretty obvious.
Lmao ok.
Quote from: MuggsyB on December 06, 2025, 07:46:51 PMI hooped yesterday and shot 25 FT's.
21-25.
FT's no Matta
Quote from: MuggsyB on December 06, 2025, 07:46:51 PMI hooped yesterday and shot 25 FT's.
21-25.
Nerf hoops don't count.
Quote from: mu_hilltopper on December 06, 2025, 03:56:32 PMI absolutely want to keep Shaka as our coach. But ..
RGV was a theory and it's clearly been proven as untenable in today's NCAA world.
If Shaka refuses to start using the portal like all other teams, then MU would need to find a coach who will, or fold up the tents.
I have no idea if the money is there or not, but if it is, it is not only the portal, but highly sought after top 50 HS prospects. It is pretty telling when Parham did not make the cut for the under 19 team over the summer having one year of college ball under his belt.
Quote from: muwarrior69 on December 09, 2025, 12:13:07 PMI have no idea if the money is there or not, but if it is, it is not only the portal, but highly sought after top 50 HS prospects. It is pretty telling when Parham did not make the cut for the under 19 team over the summer having one year of college ball under his belt.
What would be telling about that? Did you think he would be better than guys like AJ Dybantsa or Cameron Boozer? I know I didn't. He also wasn't the only player with a year of college under his belt trying out for that team.
Quote from: muwarrior69 on December 09, 2025, 12:13:07 PMIt is pretty telling when Parham did not make the cut for the under 19 team over the summer having one year of college ball under his belt.
Not at all. It's very normal in USA Basketball. I think you're just not familiar with how it works.
Quote from: wadesworld on December 09, 2025, 12:14:30 PMWhat would be telling about that? Did you think he would be better than guys like AJ Dybantsa or Cameron Boozer? I know I didn't. He also wasn't the only player with a year of college under his belt trying out for that team.
Of course not.
Quote from: Jay Bee on December 09, 2025, 02:50:21 PMNot at all. It's very normal in USA Basketball. I think you're just not familiar with how it works.
Again if we have the money Shaka should be going after HS guys who do make the cut and not just looking at the transfer portal.
I gotta say I'm loving this betting action with JB and Atlanta!
That's really what are season is about now!
He gets a year to adapt....That being said....If he doesn't and continues with the same formula....It will take care of itself....
Clearly DePaul on the rise.....Providence and Seton Hall are better than us....Coaching at Xavier and Villanova will figure it out.....
If we are last in the Big East next year.....It will take care of itself.....
We won't be last in the Big East this season or next.
Quote from: MU82 on December 10, 2025, 11:41:12 AMWe won't be last in the Big East this season or next.
No idea what modeling this site uses, but they have us with a 32% chance of finishing last this season - highest of any team. https://www.playoffstatus.com/bigeastbasketball/bigeaststandings.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Quote from: 1SE on December 10, 2025, 12:50:48 PMNo idea what modeling this site uses, but they have us with a 32% chance of finishing last this season - highest of any team. https://www.playoffstatus.com/bigeastbasketball/bigeaststandings.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com
OK, cool. IMHO we won't finish last. The Big East has a lot of bad to mediocre teams this season. We will beat our share of them.
Quote from: MU82 on December 10, 2025, 01:23:56 PMOK, cool. IMHO we won't finish last. The Big East has a lot of bad to mediocre teams this season. We will beat our share of them.
Sure, even if this is good modeling odds still more likely than not we don't. But it is in the realm of possibility in a way it hasn't been for a very long time. Shaka doing his best its fine dog meme impression doesn't install a ton of confidence that he has any thoughts in how to rectify the situation. At least wojo told the guys to "play harder".
Quote from: 1SE on December 10, 2025, 05:01:27 PMSure, even if this is good modeling odds still more likely than not we don't. But it is in the realm of possibility in a way it hasn't been for a very long time. Shaka doing his best its fine dog meme impression doesn't install a ton of confidence that he has any thoughts in how to rectify the situation. At least wojo told the guys to "play harder"
"Grow Faster"?
Quote from: 1SE on December 10, 2025, 05:01:27 PMSure, even if this is good modeling odds still more likely than not we don't. But it is in the realm of possibility in a way it hasn't been for a very long time. Shaka doing his best its fine dog meme impression doesn't install a ton of confidence that he has any thoughts in how to rectify the situation. At least wojo told the guys to "play harder".
Only solution is to fire Shaka today, I guess, and bring in someone who will rip players during postgame pressers..
Has anybody asked Shaka when the "V" will happen?
Shaka is fine and will be fine for Marquette. He's already gotten better recruiting to Marquette with this freshman class and next years should be good.
Quote from: Daniel on December 10, 2025, 07:29:16 PMShaka is fine and will be fine for Marquette. He's already gotten better recruiting to Marquette with this freshman class and next years should be good.
Hopefully this year's class turns out to be like the Kam/Mitchell/Jolp class in terms of production. Promising start with James/Stevens. Phillips also seems like a guy who can light it up once he's acclimated.
Quote from: Markusquette on December 10, 2025, 08:15:45 PMHopefully this year's class turns out to be like the Kam/Mitchell/Jolp class in terms of production. Promising start with James/Stevens. Phillips also seems like a guy who can light it up once he's acclimated.
Agree - still will need a bunch of help next year to be competitive
Quote from: MU82 on December 10, 2025, 06:40:24 PMOnly solution is to fire Shaka today, I guess, and bring in someone who will rip players during postgame pressers..
Wow, you do love these strawman don't you? Given Shaka's NCAAT record since leaving VCU (3-7, no wins against a lower seed) and his questionable in game coaching, the biggest thing he's had going for him - and what elevated him over our last nice guy coach and made me a yahka is that he's been consistently able to get more than the sum of the parts out of his teams. Until this year. This year he is getting considerably LESS than the sum of his parts. For whatever reason he doesn't have his guys executing at a high level. Chase is/could be a stud. Nigel is the best true frosh PG we've seen since the last PG James. Zaide is a serious athlete who used to be able to knock down an open 3. Ben is what he is but that is a senior with significant minutes under his belt. I don't see it but people love Parham. Stevens looks like he can contribute some serious minutes. The point is the guys on this roster certainly don't look terrible on paper, which is why we and everyone else had them in a bubble team range.
Why are we performing so far below that? Why have guys regressed? I know Shaka doesn't shoot the ball for them, but why have so many guys taken a step backwards? Why is our defense so lacking in "connectivity" (defense is about effort and position- no shooting involved!)? Why aren't we seeing more creativity in our offensive sets? These are all legitimate questions and are reasonable to ask and expect answers from a guy being paid 3? 5? million a year whose job is to deliver G from year to year and V on a basketball court. Any f*cking schmo ca ndeliver R - we dont need to shell put millions for that. Totally reasonable to ask "what's wrong?" And "how are you going to fix that"? That fact that Shaka has been a pissy little B when anyone has asked questions in that direction makes me think he doesn't know/want to confront the answer to either Q.
As for protecting his guys/not throwing them under the bus, I agree he doesn't need to/should call out any individual guys publicly- mainly because it would probably be counterproductive. But him taking his own accountability and collective accountability for the team would.be nice and encouraging to show that he has some sort of plan. These guys are now paid professionals - if they don't perform they can take a little heat and also make way for someone who can perform.
If we get to the end of this season, and Steele or whoever asks Shaka- "hey this season didn't go as planned, you're losing Chase, are you going to go to the portal this off-season to fill.some holes?" And he gives an unequivocal "no" then yes, I'd say shown him the door. Hopefully he won't do that, but his public facing stance to date certainly suggests he might.
Quote from: 1SE on December 10, 2025, 11:10:03 PMWow, you do love these strawman don't you? Given Shaka's NCAAT record since leaving VCU (3-7, no wins against a lower seed) and his questionable in game coaching, the biggest thing he's had going for him - and what elevated him over our last nice guy coach and made me a yahka is that he's been consistently able to get more than the sum of the parts out of his teams. Until this year. This year he is getting considerably LESS than the sum of his parts. For whatever reason he doesn't have his guys executing at a high level. Chase is/could be a stud. Nigel is the best true frosh PG we've seen since the last PG James. Zaide is a serious athlete who used to be able to knock down an open 3. Ben is what he is but that is a senior with significant minutes under his belt. I don't see it but people love Parham. Stevens looks like he can contribute some serious minutes. The point is the guys on this roster certainly don't look terrible on paper, which is why we and everyone else had them in a bubble team range.
Why are we performing so far below that? Why have guys regressed? I know Shaka doesn't shoot the ball for them, but why have so many guys taken a step backwards? Why is our defense so lacking in "connectivity" (defense is about effort and position- no shooting involved!)? Why aren't we seeing more creativity in our offensive sets? These are all legitimate questions and are reasonable to ask and expect answers from a guy being paid 3? 5? million a year whose job is to deliver G from year to year and V on a basketball court. Any f*cking schmo ca ndeliver R - we dont need to shell put millions for that. Totally reasonable to ask "what's wrong?" And "how are you going to fix that"? That fact that Shaka has been a pissy little B when anyone has asked questions in that direction makes me think he doesn't know/want to confront the answer to either Q.
As for protecting his guys/not throwing them under the bus, I agree he doesn't need to/should call out any individual guys publicly- mainly because it would probably be counterproductive. But him taking his own accountability and collective accountability for the team would.be nice and encouraging to show that he has some sort of plan. These guys are now paid professionals - if they don't perform they can take a little heat and also make way for someone who can perform.
If we get to the end of this season, and Steele or whoever asks Shaka- "hey this season didn't go as planned, you're losing Chase, are you going to go to the portal this off-season to fill.some holes?" And he gives an unequivocal "no" then yes, I'd say shown him the door. Hopefully he won't do that, but his public facing stance to date certainly suggests he might.
TL;DR
Quote from: 1SE on December 10, 2025, 11:10:03 PMWow, you do love these strawman don't you? Given Shaka's NCAAT record since leaving VCU (3-7, no wins against a lower seed) and his questionable in game coaching, the biggest thing he's had going for him - and what elevated him over our last nice guy coach and made me a yahka is that he's been consistently able to get more than the sum of the parts out of his teams. Until this year. This year he is getting considerably LESS than the sum of his parts. For whatever reason he doesn't have his guys executing at a high level. Chase is/could be a stud. Nigel is the best true frosh PG we've seen since the last PG James. Zaide is a serious athlete who used to be able to knock down an open 3. Ben is what he is but that is a senior with significant minutes under his belt. I don't see it but people love Parham. Stevens looks like he can contribute some serious minutes. The point is the guys on this roster certainly don't look terrible on paper, which is why we and everyone else had them in a bubble team range.
Why are we performing so far below that? Why have guys regressed? I know Shaka doesn't shoot the ball for them, but why have so many guys taken a step backwards? Why is our defense so lacking in "connectivity" (defense is about effort and position- no shooting involved!)? Why aren't we seeing more creativity in our offensive sets? These are all legitimate questions and are reasonable to ask and expect answers from a guy being paid 3? 5? million a year whose job is to deliver G from year to year and V on a basketball court. Any f*cking schmo ca ndeliver R - we dont need to shell put millions for that. Totally reasonable to ask "what's wrong?" And "how are you going to fix that"? That fact that Shaka has been a pissy little B when anyone has asked questions in that direction makes me think he doesn't know/want to confront the answer to either Q.
As for protecting his guys/not throwing them under the bus, I agree he doesn't need to/should call out any individual guys publicly- mainly because it would probably be counterproductive. But him taking his own accountability and collective accountability for the team would.be nice and encouraging to show that he has some sort of plan. These guys are now paid professionals - if they don't perform they can take a little heat and also make way for someone who can perform.
If we get to the end of this season, and Steele or whoever asks Shaka- "hey this season didn't go as planned, you're losing Chase, are you going to go to the portal this off-season to fill.some holes?" And he gives an unequivocal "no" then yes, I'd say shown him the door. Hopefully he won't do that, but his public facing stance to date certainly suggests he might.
It's one unnatural carnal knowledgeing down year. Your incessant posts and polls ripping Shaka and this team are insufferable.
Wisconsin went to the portal and paid high six figures for Nick Boyd - they got blasted by 30 last night...why? Because they shot like crap. We aren't shooting the ball well this year..at all...getting good looks - hard for a coach to make shots for his players.
And Shaka has said on many occasions it often can be that when you aren't knocking down shots, it can affect things on the other end with regard to intensity. Always easier to defend after made baskets too.
You keep trying to knit pick every single thing you can to throw Shaka and the team under the bus - give it a rest.
The only thing that would make me want to show Shaka the door this March is a Sherrone Moore-esque off court debacle.
Quote from: Elonsmusk on December 11, 2025, 09:09:16 AMIt's one unnatural carnal knowledgeing down year.
That's one way of looking at it.
The other way of looking at it is that the program has been trending in the wrong direction for two seasons because both talent and player development have declined.
QuoteWisconsin went to the portal and paid high six figures for Nick Boyd - they got blasted by 30 last night...why? Because they shot like crap. We aren't shooting the ball well this year..at all...getting good looks - hard for a coach to make shots for his players.
Wisconsin had a bad shooting game.
Marquette only has bad shooting games ... literally among the very worst shooting teams in the nation.
These are not the same thing.
A coach can't control for an off night. If
every night is an off night, that's the coach's fault.
You're throwing up your hands here acting as if MU's poor shooting is beyond Shaka's control.
How about recruit proven shooting and skill instead of projects and toolsy athletes? How about installing an offense that relies less on the three when you have no reliable shooters? How about developing players who fight through contact at the rim to make a shot or draw a foul?
QuoteAnd Shaka has said on many occasions it often can be that when you aren't knocking down shots, it can affect things on the other end with regard to intensity.
One certainly can't hold a coach responsible if he has a group of players who lack intensity on the defensive end because of a missed shot.
Quote from: Pakuni on December 11, 2025, 09:49:20 AMThat's one way of looking at it.
The other way of looking at it is that the program has been trending in the wrong direction for two seasons because both talent and player development have declined.
Wisconsin had a bad shooting game.
Marquette only has bad shooting games ... literally among the very worst shooting teams in the nation.
These are not the same thing.
A coach can't control for an off night. If every night is an off night, that's the coach's fault.
You're throwing up your hands here acting as if MU's poor shooting is beyond Shaka's control.
How about recruit proven shooting and skill instead of projects and toolsy athletes? How about installing an offense that relies less on the three when you have no reliable shooters? How about developing players who fight through contact at the rim to make a shot or draw a foul?
One certainly can't hold a coach responsible if he has a group of players who lack intensity on the defensive end because of a missed shot.
I wouldn't expect you to get it. But, nice try.
Quote from: Elonsmusk on December 11, 2025, 10:07:52 AMI wouldn't expect you to get it. But, nice try.
I know everything there is to know about basketball because I once scored 11 points in a 7th grade game.
Quote from: Elonsmusk on December 11, 2025, 09:09:16 AMIt's one unnatural carnal knowledgeing down year. Your incessant posts and polls ripping Shaka and this team are insufferable.
Wisconsin went to the portal and paid high six figures for Nick Boyd - they got blasted by 30 last night...why? Because they shot like crap. We aren't shooting the ball well this year..at all...getting good looks - hard for a coach to make shots for his players.
And Shaka has said on many occasions it often can be that when you aren't knocking down shots, it can affect things on the other end with regard to intensity. Always easier to defend after made baskets too.
You keep trying to knit pick every single thing you can to throw Shaka and the team under the bus - give it a rest.
And we didn't go to the portal and are witnessing what will be our worst season in modern Marquette basketball history. Shaka is throwing away all of his good graces he rightfully earned because he's stubbornly ignoring bettering his roster.
What are your expectations for next year when Chase leaves?
Awesome relationship and growth.
Quote from: panda on December 11, 2025, 11:42:23 AMAnd we didn't go to the portal and are witnessing what will be our worst season in modern Marquette basketball history. Shaka is throwing away all of his good graces he rightfully earned because he's stubbornly ignoring bettering his roster.
What are your expectations for next year when Chase leaves?
I still believe Shaka will not be throwing all of his good graces away. He took a calculated risk that many here thought to be valid, but he will evaluate the results and pivot to a different strategy. IMHO.
Quote from: WhiteTrash on December 11, 2025, 04:23:35 PMI still believe Shaka will not be throwing all of his good graces away. He took a calculated risk that many here thought to be valid, but he will evaluate the results and pivot to a different strategy. IMHO.
This is reasonable and where I generally stand. He needs to do better, and I think he will.
Quote from: WhiteTrash on December 11, 2025, 04:23:35 PMI still believe Shaka will not be throwing all of his good graces away. He took a calculated risk that many here thought to be valid, but he will evaluate the results and pivot to a different strategy. IMHO.
Maybe. I'm not convinced.
Ultimately, this comes down to a choice. Does Shaka care more about keeping his job and winning, or keeping his word and integrity. Given what he's said in the past about his recruits, comments on standing by rather than recruiting over, and the portal as a whole, I don't think he will be able to have both.
Quote from: brewcity77 on December 11, 2025, 10:26:42 PMMaybe. I'm not convinced.
Ultimately, this comes down to a choice. Does Shaka care more about keeping his job and winning, or keeping his word and integrity. Given what he's said in the past about his recruits, comments on standing by rather than recruiting over, and the portal as a whole, I don't think he will be able to have both.
I do.
Quote from: MU82 on December 12, 2025, 01:36:33 AMI do.
#metoo
Some kids will leave - there can be kind, caring and supportive conversations (eg, "will be tough for you to find PT here but there are some amazing opportunities for you elsewhere")
We get some transfer guy(s) to fill our open spots. "We had guys leave and had open spots, so we filled them w great matches. We were very mindful of who we brought in."
#donedeal
It will be interesting to see what the future holds for MUBB.
Quote from: tower912 on December 11, 2025, 09:23:05 AMThe only thing that would make me want to show Shaka the door this March is a Sherrone Moore-esque off court debacle.
I was thinking a full Sandusky, but same general idea.
Now, if we are having this same poll in December 2026 I will have a different answer.
Quote from: Jay Bee on December 12, 2025, 06:01:08 AM#metoo
Some kids will leave - there can be kind, caring and supportive conversations (eg, "will be tough for you to find PT here but there are some amazing opportunities for you elsewhere")
We get some transfer guy(s) to fill our open spots. "We had guys leave and had open spots, so we filled them w great matches. We were very mindful of who we brought in."
#donedeal
This is the way out for Shaka to maintain integrity and use the portal. The only issue is it relies on guys like Tre acknowledging their shortcomings, deciding they'd like to play rather than get paid. If Shaka switches his NIL allocation strategy in conjunction with this then I think this outcome is more possible.
I believe that Shaka is the only Marquette men's basketball coach to make it to the NCAA tourney their first four seasons at Marquette.
So . . .
Quote from: Daniel on December 12, 2025, 12:15:04 PMSo . . .
So...past results are not guarantees of future success?
Quote from: Daniel on December 12, 2025, 12:15:04 PMI believe that Shaka is the only Marquette men's basketball coach to make it to the NCAA tourney their first four seasons at Marquette.
So . . .
Buzz:
6 seed
6 seed
11 seed
3 seed
3 seed
Quote from: Daniel on December 12, 2025, 12:15:04 PMI believe that Shaka is the only Marquette men's basketball coach to make it to the NCAA tourney their first four seasons at Marquette.
So . . .
Pretty sure Buzz did that.
It seems as though Shaka has already changed his style of recruits. Walker is supposed to be a shooter and Egbuonu seems big east ready. How can a kid who's name starts woit EGB not be a hit. With Pearson coming on board I'd say he is recruiting for need. Give Shaka some slack. If you wanted to go to the portal fore next season what would you look for?
Quote from: Galway Eagle on December 12, 2025, 12:12:06 PMThis is the way out for Shaka to maintain integrity and use the portal. The only issue is it relies on guys like Tre acknowledging their shortcomings, deciding they'd like to play rather than get paid. If Shaka switches his NIL allocation strategy in conjunction with this then I think this outcome is more possible.
Therein lies the rub.
Unless Marquette changes its NIL strategy, there's little incentive for an upperclass end-of-the bench guy to leave for a lower level program that almost certainly pays far less.
Quote from: tower912 on December 11, 2025, 09:23:05 AMThe only thing that would make me want to show Shaka the door this March is a Sherrone Moore-esque off court debacle.
Agree, but if he is winning f that we keep him!
Quote from: Daniel on December 12, 2025, 12:15:04 PMI believe that Shaka is the only Marquette men's basketball coach to make it to the NCAA tourney their first four seasons at Marquette.
So . . .
So...how about this year
Opportunity for learning and growth. It is fascinating to see how coaches, players, and fans handle adversity.
Quote from: Jay Bee on December 12, 2025, 06:01:08 AM(eg, "will be tough for you to find PT here but there are some amazing opportunities for you elsewhere")
And the second that conversation starts, as soon as Shaka says those words, he has undermined his credibility with the player, the rest of the roster, and future recruits. These people aren't stupid. They know that "amazing opportunities for you elsewhere" is just touchy-feely talk for "we're running your ass off for someone better" and that's effectively what Shaka has said for years now he isn't going to do.
He's painted himself into a corner on this. If he's going to relocate current players in order to win games, he's undermining the integrity with which he built the program. He can't have his cake and eat it too.
Quote from: tower912 on December 12, 2025, 07:17:05 PMOpportunity for learning and growth. It is fascinating to see how coaches, players, and fans handle adversity.
The fans part includes you. I'm not saying you are wrong for staying away from scoop, but your are not immune from this. Your absence speaks volumes. I like that you put fans in there but only if you include yourself.
Quote from: brewcity77 on December 12, 2025, 10:49:57 PMAnd the second that conversation starts, as soon as Shaka says those words, he has undermined his credibility with the player, the rest of the roster, and future recruits. These people aren't stupid. They know that "amazing opportunities for you elsewhere" is just touchy-feely talk for "we're running your ass off for someone better" and that's effectively what Shaka has said for years now he isn't going to do.
He's painted himself into a corner on this. If he's going to relocate current players in order to win games, he's undermining the integrity with which he built the program. He can't have his cake and eat it too.
While this could be true it's not the only outcome. I can't imagine Tre, as a senior. Wants to only play a couple min a game. Shakas said he won't purposely recruit over his guys but if one isn't panning out with development and he's frank about it then he isn't going back on his word.
Quote from: Shooter McGavin on December 12, 2025, 11:16:47 PMThe fans part includes you. I'm not saying you are wrong for staying away from scoop, but your are not immune from this. Your absence speaks volumes. I like that you put fans in there but only if you include yourself.
Fair.
Quote from: hawk on December 12, 2025, 01:21:27 PMIt seems as though Shaka has already changed his style of recruits. Walker is supposed to be a shooter and Egbuonu seems big east ready. How can a kid who's name starts woit EGB not be a hit. With Pearson coming on board I'd say he is recruiting for need. Give Shaka some slack. If you wanted to go to the portal fore next season what would you look for?
Right - I also like the upcoming class - but this board was also excited about the junior class, and the sophomore class... the "there's always the guys coming in next year" was prime projo content. And when those guys come in and don't perform right away (because 4-start frosh usually aren't saviors) then it's the "we're young" excuse - then they still don't get better and you get our sophmore and junior classes.
What really shakes my confidence is that we're coming on a full 365 days where we've been playing significantly below our potential and significantly worse than the sum of our parts.
What really impressed me in the first 3.5 Shaka years was that his teams seemed to produce more than the sum of their parts. But looking back on that, maybe even that is a bit rose-tinged. Maybe the first 3 years of success had more to do with the fact that we had one of MUs all-time best PGs.
Is there anyone on this roster with f'em attitude?
Shaka referenced in his show that he wants that, also, and is trying to get it from them.
Quote from: 1SE on December 13, 2025, 08:48:25 AMRight - I also like the upcoming class - but this board was also excited about the junior class, and the sophomore class... the "there's always the guys coming in next year" was prime projo content. And when those guys come in and don't perform right away (because 4-start frosh usually aren't saviors) then it's the "we're young" excuse - then they still don't get better and you get our sophmore and junior classes.
What really shakes my confidence is that we're coming on a full 365 days where we've been playing significantly below our potential and significantly worse than the sum of our parts.
What really impressed me in the first 3.5 Shaka years was that his teams seemed to produce more than the sum of their parts. But looking back on that, maybe even that is a bit rose-tinged. Maybe the first 3 years of success had more to do with the fact that we had one of MUs all-time best PGs.
Is there anyone on this roster with f'em attitude?
Yeah. The cliche proverb "There is always next year"
Says nearly every fan in every sport.
Quote from: Galway Eagle on December 12, 2025, 11:18:32 PMWhile this could be true it's not the only outcome. I can't imagine Tre, as a senior. Wants to only play a couple min a game. Shakas said he won't purposely recruit over his guys but if one isn't panning out with development and he's frank about it then he isn't going back on his word.
Regardless of how Shaka approaches it, what's the incentive for a player like Tre to leave for "other opportunities?" If MU's NIL structure is as has been reported, he's going to be doing well as a senior here ... likely much better than he would if he stepped down a level or two for more playing time. As a player who's probably going to have limited professional opportunities, why would he walk away from guaranteed money at a place where he's comfortable and has all his friends, for less money at a lesser program, with lesser facilities, worse resources and where he knows nobody?
Quote from: Pakuni on December 13, 2025, 11:06:20 AMRegardless of how Shaka approaches it, what's the incentive for a player like Tre to leave for "other opportunities?" If MU's NIL structure is as has been reported, he's going to be doing well as a senior here ... likely much better than he would if he stepped down a level or two for more playing time. As a player who's probably going to have limited professional opportunities, why would he walk away from guaranteed money at a place where he's comfortable and has all his friends, for less money at a lesser program, with lesser facilities, worse resources and where he knows nobody?
Legit questions, and it will be interesting to see how Shaka handles it if he decides he needs to "gently encourage" any players to leave.
Converting to Islam
I can agree that this team is less than the sum of it's parts and what is lacking is the f'em attitude and talent of Kolek. I can also agree that there is little insentive for Norman or Lowery to leave the program. Shaka might want both to stay just for ballist. They have not become the players anybody thought they would but they remain an asset in supporting roles. Looking at next season's likely roster I like most of what I see. I think they are solid at the point and have a small army of wings, including a couple of shooters and Egbuono who looks like an f'em poster child. I also think that James and Stevens have that edge. My issue with Shakas's teams has been and remains the lack of a beast in the post. Denny Crumm always had a point guard and a tough center with an army of wings, Shaka's teams look the same way sans a beast in the post.I think Owens leaves for greener pastures after this season so Shaka will one open seat at the table. I would hope and expect that he would find a senior or graduate post player to stabiliize the lack of post presence.
Quote from: tower912 on December 12, 2025, 07:17:05 PMOpportunity for learning and growth. It is fascinating to see how coaches, players, and fans handle adversity.
My view of this is the same as my past views on Wojo and Elizabeth Warren.
With Wojo, I supported the general upward trajectory until February 2019, when we had a third year where we peaked early then had a calamitous losing stretch. It wasn't feasible to fire him after a 5-seed or in the midst of COVID, but they pulled the trigger at the right time.
Why Elizabeth Warren? I'm not being political, it was just math. She was my preferred 2020 candidate, but when Super Tuesday knocked her out, I migrated to Biden even though Bernie was the more ideologically reflective candidate. But doing the math, I realized there was no path to the nomination, so I supported the only guy that could get it.
And that's where I am with Shaka. I'll support him as long as he's here. I still would love for his method to work. But we have more than a year showing it's flawed. He rode a fantastic initial recruiting class to historic results, but what do we have since then? He hit on just one recruit (Chase) in the 2022, 2023, and 2024 recruiting classes. Some of the guys (Ben, Zaide, Royce) have had moments of okay, but it's pretty clear none are the next level players TK, Oso, O-Max, and Kam were, and not even on par with Stevie/Jop who were solid collegians.
With RGV, there is no way for Shaka to stick to the principles he's espoused and create the kind of roster he needs to get back to that level by next year. I just don't see the plausible path. If he betrays his moral stance, runs guys off & goes to the portal, I'll hope he wins in spite of it. If he sticks by RGV and proves me wrong, I'll happily eat that crow.
But as I look at this team, the talent simply isn't here. The staff misevaluated & I was wrong to believe in this team. And without significant roster overhaul (3-4 scholarships) I don't see a path to a 2026-27 turnaround. So I'm basically at the same place with Shaka that I was with Wojo in February 2019. He's going to get time to turn it around, and I'll cheer for him to do so, but I don't believe it is possible and think change is inevitable in the next 4-16 months.
Quote from: brewcity77 on December 13, 2025, 03:45:40 PMMy view of this is the same as my past views on Wojo and Elizabeth Warren.
With Wojo, I supported the general upward trajectory until February 2019, when we had a third year where we peaked early then had a calamitous losing stretch. It wasn't feasible to fire him after a 5-seed or in the midst of COVID, but they pulled the trigger at the right time.
Why Elizabeth Warren? I'm not being political, it was just math. She was my preferred 2020 candidate, but when Super Tuesday knocked her out, I migrated to Biden even though Bernie was the more ideologically reflective candidate. But doing the math, I realized there was no path to the nomination, so I supported the only guy that could get it.
And that's where I am with Shaka. I'll support him as long as he's here. I still would love for his method to work. But we have more than a year showing it's flawed. He rode a fantastic initial recruiting class to historic results, but what do we have since then? He hit on just one recruit (Chase) in the 2022, 2023, and 2024 recruiting classes. Some of the guys (Ben, Zaide, Royce) have had moments of okay, but it's pretty clear none are the next level players TK, Oso, O-Max, and Kam were, and not even on par with Stevie/Jop who were solid collegians.
With RGV, there is no way for Shaka to stick to the principles he's espoused and create the kind of roster he needs to get back to that level by next year. I just don't see the plausible path. If he betrays his moral stance, runs guys off & goes to the portal, I'll hope he wins in spite of it. If he sticks by RGV and proves me wrong, I'll happily eat that crow.
But as I look at this team, the talent simply isn't here. The staff misevaluated & I was wrong to believe in this team. And without significant roster overhaul (3-4 scholarships) I don't see a path to a 2026-27 turnaround. So I'm basically at the same place with Shaka that I was with Wojo in February 2019. He's going to get time to turn it around, and I'll cheer for him to do so, but I don't believe it is possible and think change is inevitable in the next 4-16]
Quote from: brewcity77 on December 13, 2025, 03:45:40 PMMy view of this is the same as my past views on Wojo and Elizabeth Warren.
With Wojo, I supported the general upward trajectory until February 2019, when we had a third year where we peaked early then had a calamitous losing stretch. It wasn't feasible to fire him after a 5-seed or in the midst of COVID, but they pulled the trigger at the right time.
Why Elizabeth Warren? I'm not being political, it was just math. She was my preferred 2020 candidate, but when Super Tuesday knocked her out, I migrated to Biden even though Bernie was the more ideologically reflective candidate. But doing the math, I realized there was no path to the nomination, so I supported the only guy that could get it.
And that's where I am with Shaka. I'll support him as long as he's here. I still would love for his method to work. But we have more than a year showing it's flawed. He rode a fantastic initial recruiting class to historic results, but what do we have since then? He hit on just one recruit (Chase) in the 2022, 2023, and 2024 recruiting classes. Some of the guys (Ben, Zaide, Royce) have had moments of okay, but it's pretty clear none are the next level players TK, Oso, O-Max, and Kam were, and not even on par with Stevie/Jop who were solid collegians.
With RGV, there is no way for Shaka to stick to the principles he's espoused and create the kind of roster he needs to get back to that level by next year. I just don't see the plausible path. If he betrays his moral stance, runs guys off & goes to the portal, I'll hope he wins in spite of it. If he sticks by RGV and proves me wrong, I'll happily eat that crow.
But as I look at this team, the talent simply isn't here. The staff misevaluated & I was wrong to believe in this team. And without significant roster overhaul (3-4 scholarships) I don't see a path to a 2026-27 turnaround. So I'm basically at the same place with Shaka that I was with Wojo in February 2019. He's going to get time to turn it around, and I'll cheer for him to do so, but I don't believe it is possible and think change is inevitable in the next 4-16 months.
Shaka has skins on the wall that Wojo didn't. You don't pull the plug on a guy with Shaka's resume after 1 or 2 seasons. "Trajectory" from awful to mediocre, to losing his best team due to team turmoil, to getting absolutely pummeled in two NCAA tournament games and then regressing to like 90th in Year 7 is no comp for Shaka.
This current situation sucks for sure, and I didn't think it would be this bleak. Shaka and staff miscalculated the potential and improvement capability of this roster. I'm confident he will fix it. But, nothing you can do at this stage of the season.
Quote from: brewcity77 on December 13, 2025, 03:45:40 PMMy view of this is the same as my past views on Wojo and Elizabeth Warren.
With Wojo, I supported the general upward trajectory until February 2019, when we had a third year where we peaked early then had a calamitous losing stretch. It wasn't feasible to fire him after a 5-seed or in the midst of COVID, but they pulled the trigger at the right time.
Why Elizabeth Warren? I'm not being political, it was just math. She was my preferred 2020 candidate, but when Super Tuesday knocked her out, I migrated to Biden even though Bernie was the more ideologically reflective candidate. But doing the math, I realized there was no path to the nomination, so I supported the only guy that could get it.
And that's where I am with Shaka. I'll support him as long as he's here. I still would love for his method to work. But we have more than a year showing it's flawed. He rode a fantastic initial recruiting class to historic results, but what do we have since then? He hit on just one recruit (Chase) in the 2022, 2023, and 2024 recruiting classes. Some of the guys (Ben, Zaide, Royce) have had moments of okay, but it's pretty clear none are the next level players TK, Oso, O-Max, and Kam were, and not even on par with Stevie/Jop who were solid collegians.
With RGV, there is no way for Shaka to stick to the principles he's espoused and create the kind of roster he needs to get back to that level by next year. I just don't see the plausible path. If he betrays his moral stance, runs guys off & goes to the portal, I'll hope he wins in spite of it. If he sticks by RGV and proves me wrong, I'll happily eat that crow.
But as I look at this team, the talent simply isn't here. The staff misevaluated & I was wrong to believe in this team. And without significant roster overhaul (3-4 scholarships) I don't see a path to a 2026-27 turnaround. So I'm basically at the same place with Shaka that I was with Wojo in February 2019. He's going to get time to turn it around, and I'll cheer for him to do so, but I don't believe it is possible and think change is inevitable in the next 4-16 months.
We agree that results matter and that Shaka has painted himself into a corner with his approach.
However, and I said this the last time you posted something similar, applying the same standard to Shaka that you did to Wojo in regard to changing coaches makes no sense to me.
Shaka has made the tourney 4 seasons in a row, including a conference title, a conference tourney title, 2 #2 seeds, and a Sweet 16. Wojo didn't come remotely close to those results and he was here for 7 years.
It also seems pretty clear that Shaka could be here long-term. If we move on from him after next season, Marquette will likely be finding a new coach every 5-7 years for perpetuity.
Shaka deserves some grace to get this figured out and clean up the mess he's made. I would not move on from him after next season, either, taking everything into account.
Look, this sucks hard and as fans we are impatient, especially as we get older. Shaka is accountable for this and absolutely needs to fix it. But I think he should get a bit of a longer leash than I'd normally be willing to give.
Quote from: Vander Blue Man Group on December 13, 2025, 04:09:31 PMWe agree that results matter and that Shaka has painted himself into a corner with his approach.
However, and I said this the last time you posted something similar, applying the same standard to Shaka that you did to Wojo in regard to changing coaches makes no sense to me.
Shaka has made the tourney 4 seasons in a row, including a conference title, a conference tourney title, 2 #2 seeds, and a Sweet 16. Wojo didn't come remotely close to those results and he was here for 7 years.
It also seems pretty clear that Shaka could be here long-term. If we move on from him after next season, Marquette will likely be finding a new coach every 5-7 years for perpetuity.
Shaka deserves some grace to get this figured out and clean up the mess he's made. I would not move on from him after next season, either, taking everything into account.
Look, this sucks hard and as fans we are impatient, especially as we get older. Shaka is accountable for this and absolutely needs to fix it. But I think he should get a bit of a longer leash than I'd normally be willing to give.
A coach with his track record earns a pass for this year. I'm out with a pitchfork if he doesn't do anything to improve next years roster.
Quote from: brewcity77 on December 13, 2025, 03:45:40 PMMy view of this is the same as my past views on Wojo and Elizabeth Warren.
With Wojo, I supported the general upward trajectory until February 2019, when we had a third year where we peaked early then had a calamitous losing stretch. It wasn't feasible to fire him after a 5-seed or in the midst of COVID, but they pulled the trigger at the right time.
Why Elizabeth Warren? I'm not being political, it was just math. She was my preferred 2020 candidate, but when Super Tuesday knocked her out, I migrated to Biden even though Bernie was the more ideologically reflective candidate. But doing the math, I realized there was no path to the nomination, so I supported the only guy that could get it.
And that's where I am with Shaka. I'll support him as long as he's here. I still would love for his method to work. But we have more than a year showing it's flawed. He rode a fantastic initial recruiting class to historic results, but what do we have since then? He hit on just one recruit (Chase) in the 2022, 2023, and 2024 recruiting classes. Some of the guys (Ben, Zaide, Royce) have had moments of okay, but it's pretty clear none are the next level players TK, Oso, O-Max, and Kam were, and not even on par with Stevie/Jop who were solid collegians.
With RGV, there is no way for Shaka to stick to the principles he's espoused and create the kind of roster he needs to get back to that level by next year. I just don't see the plausible path. If he betrays his moral stance, runs guys off & goes to the portal, I'll hope he wins in spite of it. If he sticks by RGV and proves me wrong, I'll happily eat that crow.
But as I look at this team, the talent simply isn't here. The staff misevaluated & I was wrong to believe in this team. And without significant roster overhaul (3-4 scholarships) I don't see a path to a 2026-27 turnaround. So I'm basically at the same place with Shaka that I was with Wojo in February 2019. He's going to get time to turn it around, and I'll cheer for him to do so, but I don't believe it is possible and think change is inevitable in the next 4-16 months.
Pocahontas and wojo. Birds of a feather !
Quote from: panda on December 13, 2025, 04:16:02 PMA coach with his track record earns a pass for this year. I'm out with a pitchfork if he doesn't do anything to improve next years roster.
I get it and I won't begrudge you that. I think for me it would depend on what happens next year and how the young core looks. It's not a black & white decision for me.
Quote from: 1SE on December 13, 2025, 08:48:25 AMRight - I also like the upcoming class - but this board was also excited about the junior class, and the sophomore class... the "there's always the guys coming in next year" was prime projo content. And when those guys come in and don't perform right away (because 4-start frosh usually aren't saviors) then it's the "we're young" excuse - then they still don't get better and you get our sophmore and junior classes.
What really shakes my confidence is that we're coming on a full 365 days where we've been playing significantly below our potential and significantly worse than the sum of our parts.
What really impressed me in the first 3.5 Shaka years was that his teams seemed to produce more than the sum of their parts. But looking back on that, maybe even that is a bit rose-tinged. Maybe the first 3 years of success had more to do with the fact that we had one of MUs all-time best PGs.
Is there anyone on this roster with f'em attitude?
Agree! Al used to say something like winning is important they keep score for a reason. Feel Shaka lost his way as a coach and emphasized relationships more. Which is awesome but not when it comes to coaching basketball. This is not a social club lol :) But that said Shaka has won much and made many NCAA Tournaments. Shaka will get it fixed and win again.
Quote from: Vander Blue Man Group on December 13, 2025, 04:19:45 PMI get it and I won't begrudge you that. I think for me it would depend on what happens next year and how the young core looks. It's not a black & white decision for me.
For me I see this as an issue which goes back to last year.
I hated the way the roster with those senior was put together. A complete disservice to those guys who gave so much to the program.
Hamilton, Clark and amadou had/have no business playing this level of basketball and ate up roster spots which ultimately could have helped us as we floundered the second half of the year.
This year more of the same. Roster malpractice for how little talent there is on this roster. Shaka is choosing dial up internet when fiber optic is available.
My patience is wearing thin watching this catastrophe this season and I'm completely out of there aren't wholesale changes going into next year.
I don't disagree with the trend in this thread but I think another part of the prpblem is that Shaka has the wrong view of offense in this day and age. There is no center on this team, just guards and forwards. Gold looked like a high scool kid compared to the Purdue bigs. If there is a portal opening for MU next year he has to get a legitimate center, somebody whose legs are bigger than the necks. MU has two seven foot players for next year and together they weigh less than 450 pounds. That not big, just tall
I'd fire him after this season if he isn't willing to commit to proven players out of the portal.
He has killed the program as fast as he has turned it around. He has shut off the possibility of adding transfers and top recruits because he thinks he is above an agent assisting a player through their college careers. We are stuck in mediocrity until Shaka, or Marquette changes. Marquette should make the change if he doesn't commit to it.
His job is to make the basketball team as good as he can each season. Not develop bad players into decent players at the end of 4 full seasons.
At this point, if I'm the athletic department and he tells me he is not taking a transfer this offseason, I'm firing him. But I doubt they feel the same.
With freshmen starting and getting more minute, I think there are guys in the roster who will leave of their own accord. Bring in another class and those guys move further down the bench. I think Shaka will go to the portal. I think there will be some staff changes too. This isn't just a bad season. It's an epic collapse of a program.
Shaka and his staff crapped the bed with this roster. I'd wonder if he'd pull a Tony Bennett, but I don't think he'd want his college coaching career to end with this failure of a season.
Quote from: Zog from Margo on December 13, 2025, 09:30:57 PMI'd wonder if he'd pull a Tony Bennett, but I don't think he'd want his college coaching career to end with this failure of a season.
Probably a better chance of this happening than him making any adjustments.
Quote from: GoldenEagles03 on December 13, 2025, 05:24:37 PMI'd fire him after this season if he isn't willing to commit to proven players out of the portal.
He has killed the program as fast as he has turned it around. He has shut off the possibility of adding transfers and top recruits because he thinks he is above an agent assisting a player through their college careers. We are stuck in mediocrity until Shaka, or Marquette changes. Marquette should make the change if he doesn't commit to it.
His job is to make the basketball team as good as he can each season. Not develop bad players into decent players at the end of 4 full seasons.
Agree with everything, except this is not what mediocrity looks like.
If you guys think the current MU prez is going to fire Shaka... he would have to do something similar to Michigan's former coach...we are stuck.
Quote from: Ghost of Wojo on December 13, 2025, 10:02:23 PMIf you guys think the current MU prez is going to fire Shaka... he would have to do something similar to Michigan's former coach...we are stuck.
Stuck? Only dummies want him fired right now.
Quote from: Ghost of Wojo on December 13, 2025, 10:02:23 PMIf you guys think the current MU prez is going to fire Shaka... he would have to do something similar to Michigan's former coach...we are stuck.
The MU Prez isnt the one making that decision.
Quote from: hawk on December 13, 2025, 05:15:05 PMI don't disagree with the trend in this thread but I think another part of the prpblem is that Shaka has the wrong view of offense in this day and age. There is no center on this team, just guards and forwards. Gold looked like a high scool kid compared to the Purdue bigs. If there is a portal opening for MU next year he has to get a legitimate center, somebody whose legs are bigger than the necks. MU has two seven foot players for next year and together they weigh less than 450 pounds. That not big, just tall
I'm sorry. Offense in "this day and age" is what, exactly?
You don't think it's 3s and shots at the rim?
Quote from: Zog from Margo on December 13, 2025, 09:30:57 PMWith freshmen starting and getting more minute, I think there are guys in the roster who will leave of their own accord. Bring in another class and those guys move further down the bench. I think Shaka will go to the portal. I think there will be some staff changes too. This isn't just a bad season. It's an epic collapse of a program.
Shaka and his staff crapped the bed with this roster. I'd wonder if he'd pull a Tony Bennett, but I don't think he'd want his college coaching career to end with this failure of a season.
Why would they leave if they're going to get paid more next year?
Quote from: Newsdreams on December 13, 2025, 10:09:50 PMWillard
He's capable of creating a new account or changing his name?!?
🤯
If Shaka makes no changes and we roll into next season with Alex Egbuonu as the only meaningful add, we'll be worse than we are this season.
I personally believe Shaka is more likely to retire than adjust with meaningful usage in the portal. Nothing in his time here tells me otherwise.
I get he's probably pissed that this isn't the type of coaching he signed up for. But this is today's reality. If he doesn't want to adjust, deal with agents by and large, if he cares more about relationships than winning (see Sean Jones's mom tweeting that we need to stop judging him on wins and losses), if he feels bad kicking Norman, Hamilton, Jones to the curb because he recruited them years ago...then just do us all a favor and retire. Or go coach at a mid-major where you can live the RGV way with no pushback. He's currently stuck in his own vanity project with Marquette supporters left holding the bag.
Quote from: onepost on December 13, 2025, 11:07:16 PMIf Shaka makes no changes and we roll into next season with Alex Egbuonu as the only meaningful add, we'll be worse than we are this season. Some of you are fine with that, I think it'd be unacceptable.
I personally believe Shaka is more likely to retire than adjust with meaningful usage in the portal. Nothing in his time here tells me otherwise.
I get he's probably pissed that this isn't the type of coaching he signed up for. But this is today's reality. If he doesn't want to adjust, deal with agents by and large, if he cares more about relationships than winning (see Sean Jones's mom tweeting that we need to stop judging him on wins and losses), if he feels bad kicking Norman, Hamilton, Jones to the curb because he recruited them years ago...then just do us all a favor and retire. Or go coach at a mid-major where you can live the RGV way with no pushback. He's currently stuck in his own vanity project with Marquette supporters left holding the bag.
::)
252nd in efg. 277th in 3%. Ooof.
Quote from: jesmu84 on December 13, 2025, 10:38:17 PMWhy would they leave if they're going to get paid more next year?
Because they want to play. For some, money disparity isn't the only factor they consider when picking a job.
Quote from: onepost on December 13, 2025, 11:07:16 PMIf Shaka makes no changes and we roll into next season with Alex Egbuonu as the only meaningful add, we'll be worse than we are this season.
I personally believe Shaka is more likely to retire than adjust with meaningful usage in the portal. Nothing in his time here tells me otherwise.
I get he's probably pissed that this isn't the type of coaching he signed up for. But this is today's reality. If he doesn't want to adjust, deal with agents by and large, if he cares more about relationships than winning (see Sean Jones's mom tweeting that we need to stop judging him on wins and losses), if he feels bad kicking Norman, Hamilton, Jones to the curb because he recruited them years ago...then just do us all a favor and retire. Or go coach at a mid-major where you can live the RGV way with no pushback. He's currently stuck in his own vanity project with Marquette supporters left holding the bag.
How dare you suggest that.
Quote from: Zog from Margo on December 14, 2025, 07:39:19 AMBecause they want to play. For some, money disparity isn't the only factor they consider when picking a job.
If Tre Norman gave a damn about playing time, he would've transferred two years ago. Without being cut by Shaka, I highly doubt that at this point he will take a massive pay cut to go to a different program in a much lower league next year, where he'll be an average to below average player in that team's rotation. That's a pretty big hassle for a guy with zero pro prospects who can make six figures by simply taking no action. And there are about 3-4 other guys on the current roster who fit that mold.
Quote from: Zog from Margo on December 14, 2025, 07:39:19 AMBecause they want to play. For some, money disparity isn't the only factor they consider when picking a job.
When you're talking about a kid like Tre or Sean or Caedin, the only motivation for transferring would be either 1) financial gain or 2) more minutes that could lead to financial gain down the road, i.e. being noticed by pro scouts.
The reality is, transferring does neither for these guys. There's a chance any of these guys could get paid to play in Asia or a low-level European league, but starting in the Big South or MAAC vs coming off the bench in the Big East isn't likely to move the needle on those prospects either way.
So, your position basically comes down to hoping these kids walk away from guaranteed money - plus their friends, their home for three years, their academic situation, high-end resources, etc. - for the glory of playing more minutes at a small, under-resourced program. Good luck with that.
Quote from: Pakuni on December 14, 2025, 09:22:54 AMWhen you're talking about a kid like Tre or Sean or Caedin, the only motivation for transferring would be either 1) financial gain or 2) more minutes that could lead to financial gain down the road, i.e. being noticed by pro scouts.
The reality is, transferring does neither for these guys. There's a chance any of these guys could get paid to play in Asia or a low-level European league, but starting in the Big South or MAAC vs coming off the bench in the Big East isn't likely to move the needle on those prospects either way.
So, your position basically comes down to hoping these kids walk away from guaranteed money - plus their friends, their home for three years, their academic situation, high-end resources, etc. - for the glory of playing more minutes at a small, under-resourced program. Good luck with that.
You assume they'd choose their friends for three years over their friends for 18 years and family from home. The enormous paycheck they get from MU seems to be an amount no one knows. It's also assumed that the amount is fixed or ever escalating. I'm not sure these guys, who've been told how great they are for years, view themselves as practice fodder and willing to essentially say their basketball careers are finished. Besides, for guys worried about life after college who aren't going to be pros, there are plenty of lower level that are as good or better than MU academically.
Quote from: Pakuni on December 14, 2025, 09:22:54 AMWhen you're talking about a kid like Tre or Sean or Caedin, the only motivation for transferring would be either 1) financial gain or 2) more minutes that could lead to financial gain down the road, i.e. being noticed by pro scouts.
The reality is, transferring does neither for these guys. There's a chance any of these guys could get paid to play in Asia or a low-level European league, but starting in the Big South or MAAC vs coming off the bench in the Big East isn't likely to move the needle on those prospects either way.
So, your position basically comes down to hoping these kids walk away from guaranteed money - plus their friends, their home for three years, their academic situation, high-end resources, etc. - for the glory of playing more minutes at a small, under-resourced program. Good luck with that.
Assuming this is all true, this is material evidence for MU to eventually make a change. Essentially, Shaka has made a significantly bad strategy decision that can't be easily corrected, that's the situation that gets leaders replaced across all businesses.
Quote from: WhiteTrash on December 14, 2025, 10:41:08 AMAssuming this is all true, this is material evidence for MU to eventually make a change. Essentially, Shaka has made a significantly bad strategy decision that can't be easily corrected, that's the situation that gets leaders replaced across all businesses.
Why can't it be easily corrected? I understand pride and egos are involved, but there's nothing preventing Shaka at the end of the year from, shall we say, evolving his philosophy. It would take admitting that his RGV experiment didn't go as hoped, but what's the alternative? Keep losing, and end up coaching in the A-10 for a third of his current salary in 2028?
Fail fast, fail cheap, right?
Quote from: Zog from Margo on December 14, 2025, 07:39:19 AMBecause they want to play. For some, money disparity isn't the only factor they consider when picking a job.
Does anyone really believe some of these conversations haven't already happened and what we see now is largely a result of those player decisions?
One post - Did Sean's mom really tweet that SS should not be judged on wins and loses ?!
Quote from: Pakuni on December 14, 2025, 10:52:37 AMWhy can't it be easily corrected? I understand pride and egos are involved, but there's nothing preventing Shaka at the end of the year from, shall we say, evolving his philosophy. It would take admitting that his RGV experiment didn't go as hoped, but what's the alternative? Keep losing, and end up coaching in the A-10 for a third of his current salary in 2028?
Fail fast, fail cheap, right?
I agree. Maybe I'm confusing people's opinions. Some believe MU players have it as good as it gets, and will never leave becase they are promised $, so Shaka has personally created his own prison. Hence,
if true, grounds to be terminated.
Quote from: Mu8891 on December 14, 2025, 11:06:21 AMOne post - Did Sean's mom really tweet that SS should not be judged on wins and loses ?!
Yes
https://x.com/Aries_Sherrie/status/1999249196168384688
Quote from: brewcity77 on December 14, 2025, 10:57:11 AMDoes anyone really believe some of these conversations haven't already happened and what we see now is largely a result of those player decisions?
I'm not sure with whom he'd have had the conversation. Owens was expected to challenge Lowery for a starting spot. Lowery hasn't progressed and Owens has gotten worse. Parham was expected to take a step up but hasn't. Sean Jones was returning from injury and hadn't yet shown that he hadn't improved. Hamilton was a mistake but that goes to expecting him to be a starter. He could become a serviceable backup. He was a project and is only in his second year playing. Norman? There you got me but he's less of a problem if Lowery, Owens, and Parham lived up to expectations. Failing to develop Gold's inside game and leaving the 5 spot to Hamilton and Clark was coaching malpractice.
I have to say watching Purdue switch Smith on to Gold and Gold immediately leaving the lane to the head to the three point line shows that the problem on the team isn't limited to personnel.
Quote from: HutchwasClutch on December 14, 2025, 11:15:51 AMYes
https://x.com/Aries_Sherrie/status/1999249196168384688
I mean, why wouldn't she love Shaka? Under his watch, her son is being paid very handsomely while seemingly under no pressure to produce actual on-court results. For guys like Sean, Caedin, and Tre, Shaka is a freaking golden parachute.
Quote from: Biggie Clausen on December 14, 2025, 11:33:47 AMI mean, why wouldn't she love Shaka? Under his watch, her son is being paid very handsomely while seemingly under no pressure to produce actual on-court results. For guys like Sean, Caedin, and Tre, Shaka is a freaking golden parachute.
And they never have to worry being told to pack your bags.
I get that she's not going to X and rip Shaka and the program. How about just keeping your mouth shut instead of posting idiocy such as this?
That's crazy 🤣🤣
What else are fans supposed to judge a coach on? No offense but I do not really care about the relationships they build if it doesn't lead to wins.
Quote from: GoldenEagles03 on December 14, 2025, 11:49:55 AMThat's crazy 🤣🤣
What else are fans supposed to judge a coach on? No offense but I do not really care about the relationships they build if it doesn't lead to wins.
By height?
Quote from: WhiteTrash on December 14, 2025, 11:13:17 AMI agree. Maybe I'm confusing people's opinions. Some believe MU players have it as good as it gets, and will never leave becase they are promised $, so Shaka has personally created his own prison. Hence, if true, grounds to be terminated.
Totally agree that Shaka has created his own prison, but he also has the keys to his escape. That will require him swallowing some pride, but like I said, the alternative might be spending the 2028 season in the A-10 or the American.
Quote from: HutchwasClutch on December 14, 2025, 11:15:51 AMYes
https://x.com/Aries_Sherrie/status/1999249196168384688
What a clown she is. No accountability. This program and seemingly everyone surrounding it are total jokesters. They are making their own fortress where everybody is wrong and they are right at all times. Hubris galore... smells like Wojo.
I wish every player well in their life after basketball, but this four year stretch is likely the most money guys like Tre and Caedin will ever make. I can't blame them for sticking around. Would anyone here seek out a 90% paycut?
A good example of the type of guy who benefits from transferring down is Daniel Freitag. For whatever reason, it didn't work out for him at UW, so he went to Buffalo, where he's putting up outstanding numbers as a sophomore. He will be in high demand this spring, and will be able to level back up to a great program looking to fill a need for a very nice payday. And since he's only a sophomore, he'll have two years to collect.
What would be the benefit for Tre, Caedin, Sean, DO, Clark, or Zaide to do the same? For Sean, Tre, and Zaide, next year will be their last year of eligibility. For the others, I have little faith that they would do well enough at a mid-major to level back up to a high major.
Quote from: Vander Blue Man Group on December 13, 2025, 11:04:24 PMHe's capable of creating a new account or changing his name?!?
🤯
Probably by mistake
Many of the players who can return next year need to get the Wally Ellenson offer: leave.
Lol Maybe Our Son could help Shaka. He head coached his select team to wins over Steve Novak's coached and Steve's Son team last year. And he head coached a Win over Neil Barry's Son's select team today haha.
Quote from: Warrior of Law on December 14, 2025, 08:28:11 PMMany of the players who can return next year need to get the Wally Ellenson offer: leave.
Half the team can leave
Back to Sean's mom ...
I get you want to " protect " your kid, but FFS that was stupid. She needs to STFU. Really.
Her kid had an injury setback, but has demonstrated he has no business playing in the BE. None.
But, it's just another reflection of what SS must be telling his players and their families.
I would say there's almost a zero chance Shaka gets fired this season. That's not say I don't think he should be. We're in as bad a spot, if not worse, than when he was hired 5 years ago. The results aren't because of dumb luck. They are 100% a reflection of his arrogance. I can't comprehend those who reference past years as a reason to give him time. The past was pre-NIL/Rev-Share boom, and the game has completely changed.
With that being said. I would not be surprised if the boosters start applying major pressure, based off what I've heard. What that entails, idk. But I have it on good authority his seat is heating up.
The one scenario I can see where change occurs:
Boosters tell him next year is do or die. But the boosters are reluctant to pledge additional funds outside the rev-share allotment, given the financial icompetency he deployed for this season. Shaka knows the roster needs a complete overhaul, which is not possible given the scholarship situation, his attachment to the players, and lack of extra NIL. Starts planning an exit to another school, to save himself from being fired. Or he simply retires, as he wants no part of this version of college basketball.
Quote from: Mu8891 on December 15, 2025, 11:35:17 AMBack to Sean's mom ...
I get you want to " protect " your kid, but FFS that was stupid. She needs to STFU. Really.
Her kid had an injury setback, but has demonstrated he has no business playing in the BE. None.
But, it's just another reflection of what SS must be telling his players and their families.
Bad look from miss jones. Which is hard to do for her #respectfully
Hmm, other jobs have job performance reviews.
What is his criteria for doing a good job?
RGV, W-L record, attendance level, revenue generated?
Quote from: Mu8891 on December 15, 2025, 11:35:17 AMBack to Sean's mom ...
I get you want to " protect " your kid, but FFS that was stupid. She needs to STFU. Really.
Is this a real thing we're supposed to care about ... what a player's mom says on social media? This is Message Board Geniuses material.
Quote from: MarquetteMike1977 on December 14, 2025, 11:13:09 PMLol Maybe Our Son could help Shaka. He head coached his select team to wins over Steve Novak's coached and Steve's Son team last year. And he head coached a Win over Neil Barry's Son's select team today haha.
HaHa. Since and as long as we are being proud of Our Son. We saw Rick Pitino's Miracle comeback from 31 down at Louisiana State in 1994 On ESPN earlier today. Marquette with McIllvaine Key Logterman Miller and Coach Kevin beat Kentucky to go to the Sweet 16 that year. Our Son's Select Team that he Head Coaches came back from 25 down in the Championship Game of a Tournament to Win Saturday.
The smaller National Media is now catching on. This could get ugly real fast.
https://x.com/i/status/2000679607721168998
Quote from: Markusquette on December 15, 2025, 09:39:15 AMHalf the team can leave
Why only half? Let em all leave, including Sheek and Egbuounu. We don't need no stinkin' players!
Quote from: ghostofcorms77 on December 15, 2025, 12:57:03 PMBut the boosters are reluctant to pledge additional funds outside the rev-share allotment, given the financial icompetency he deployed for this season.
this no make sense. We ain't anywhere close to spending the max rev share now.
Quote from: GoldenEagles03 on December 15, 2025, 09:39:49 PMThe smaller National Media is now catching on. This could get ugly real fast.
https://x.com/i/status/2000679607721168998
I think their identity is emerging pretty fast.
Quote from: Jay Bee on December 16, 2025, 07:19:08 AMthis no make sense. We ain't anywhere close to spending the max rev share now.
Do you have any idea where we're at? Obviously we aren't going to be at $20.5 million as we don't have that kind of revenue (no BE school does) nor do we have to spend 75% of the revenue on 105 football players, but I would hope we're around $4 million, which is 20% of the max, which is pretty much the max that P4 programs are allocating to men's basketball.
Quote from: Jay Bee on December 16, 2025, 07:19:08 AMthis no make sense. We ain't anywhere close to spending the max rev share now.
The BE Rev-Share allotments were projected 5-8 m per school. We are rumored to be just north of 6 on the current roster. There are several boosters who have offered to fund beyond rev-share, but Shaka didn't oblige.
The theoretical situation posed above, is one in which Shaka wants to turn & burn the entire roster. I don't know the exact contracts our players enter into, but I have heard it's mutually binding... which would require the school to fulfill at least part of the remaining contract. So, in this hypothetical, we would most definitely need to use booster funding.
Talk about clowns, people actually pay attention to/follow parents (or siblings, friends, etc.) of the players and what they say on social media? Good lord.
Quote from: ghostofcorms77 on December 16, 2025, 11:31:02 AMThe BE Rev-Share allotments were projected 5-8 m per school. We are rumored to be just north of 6 on the current roster. There are several boosters who have offered to fund beyond rev-share, but Shaka didn't oblige.
The theoretical situation posed above, is one in which Shaka wants to turn & burn the entire roster. I don't know the exact contracts our players enter into, but I have heard it's mutually binding... which would require the school to fulfill at least part of the remaining contract. So, in this hypothetical, we would most definitely need to use booster funding.
So we're financially locked in to terrible players? Looks like Sgaka bet on R and G and lost. Maybe he should follow the lead of some other College coaches and give back some of his salary for rev share.
Quote from: 1SE on December 16, 2025, 12:50:10 PMSo we're financially locked in to terrible players? Looks like Sgaka bet on R and G and lost. Maybe he should follow the lead of some other College coaches and give back some of his salary for rev share.
The poster is posting nonsense out of ignorance.
Quote from: Jay Bee on December 16, 2025, 01:04:30 PMThe poster is posting nonsense out of ignorance.
Or, you know, a thing that happens. But ad hominems are cool.
https://eu.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2024/12/17/mike-norvell-mike-gundy-brian-kelly-college-football-coaches-nil/77022107007/
Quote from: 1SE on December 16, 2025, 12:50:10 PMSo we're financially locked in to terrible players? Looks like Sgaka bet on R and G and lost. Maybe he should follow the lead of some other College coaches and give back some of his salary for rev share.
I assume that Tre Norman is making over 500k this season, which is more than most, but not all, members of this board.
Not to single him out, but just an example.
It's probably for the best that player salaries aren't public record, because many fans can get very ugly even without the figures, let alone if that data was shared.
I do not assume that these are locked contracts, my guess is that they can change year to year depending on circumstance, but I do not know that as a fact.
Whatever the case, hopefully the young man is saving 90+% of that salary.
Has he earned that salary? Maybe not statistically, but perhaps with his buy into the head coaches RGV model!
He's earned a lot of fan frustration, that's for sure.
He's also been given ample opportunities.
I would assume that it's up to coach to decide if it's worth the renewal or if it needs to be restructured
You can rinse and repeat the above exercise for every member of the team outside the seniors and the two standout freshmen
Quote from: DoctorV on December 16, 2025, 01:24:22 PMI assume that Tre Norman is making over 500k this season, which is more than most, but not all, members of this board.
Not to single him out, but just an example.
It's probably for the best that player salaries aren't public record, because many fans can get very ugly even without the figures, let alone if that data was shared.
I do not assumed that these are locked contracts, my guess is that they can change year to year depending on circumstance but I do not know that as a fact.
Whatever the case, hopefully the young man is saving 90+% of that salary.
Has he earned that salary? Maybe not statistically, but perhaps with his buy into the head coaches RGV model!
He's earned a lot of fan frustration, that's for sure.
He's also been given ample opportunities.
It's up to coach to decide if it's worth the renewal or if it needs to be restructured I would assume.
You can rinse and repeat the above exercise for every member of the team outside the seniors and the two standout freshmen
Doubt he's making that much cause it'd be asinine. But if he was Shaka straight up cutting him would be 100% condonable
It is my understanding that the NIL increases annually, hence the reason that guys don't transfer. If that's true, then there is some enormous waste of resources scheduled for 2026-27. I can't imagine that the MU folks in charge don't have an out clause that will allow them to dump most/all of the upcoming seniors and juniors. With revenue and interest in this team dropping daily, it may be a financial decision more so than a basketball issue.
Quote from: DoctorV on December 16, 2025, 01:24:22 PMmaking over 500k this season, which is more than most, but not all, members of this board
You must have forgotten to send back your signed MUScoop revenue sharing agreement??? (shrug)
The only thing that would make me show Shaka the door in March is if he started a poll on Scoop.
Quote from: MU82 on December 16, 2025, 06:37:33 PMThe only thing that would make me show Shaka the door in March is if he started a poll on Scoop.
yes/no question. if 26/27 replicates 25/26, move on from Shaka?
Quote from: DoctorV on December 16, 2025, 01:24:22 PMI assume that Tre Norman is making over 500k this season
Assume based on what? Just trying to get some clarification.
Quote from: Viper on December 16, 2025, 07:02:08 PMyes/no question. if 26/27 replicates 25/26, move on from Shaka?
yes/no
Quote from: Viper on December 16, 2025, 07:02:08 PMyes/no question. if 26/27 replicates 25/26, move on from Shaka?
No. The idiocy of 20%ish of Scoop is laughable.
Wonder how Scoop would have reacted if Shaka left Marquette after his 3rd year after getting us two 2 seeds. Scoop would have lost its mind. But we've got clowns like you suggesting after 2 (hypothetically) down years MU should move on? It's laughable.
Quote from: Elonsmusk on December 16, 2025, 08:41:58 PMNo. The idiocy of 20%ish of Scoop is laughable.
Wonder how Scoop would have reacted if Shaka left Marquette after his 3rd year after getting us two 2 seeds. Scoop would have lost its mind. But we've got clowns like you suggesting after 2 (hypothetically) down years MU should move on? It's laughable.
Three down years.
Quote from: Pakuni on December 16, 2025, 08:51:49 PMThree down years.
Considering last season a "down year" is ludicrous.
Elon - if ... just if ... MU has a 20 loss season this year, and follows that up w / another 20 loss season in 26/27, you would be looking at this:
Empty Fiserv
Donations dried / drying up
Furious fans / alums
And approaching DePaul 2.0.
If that happens... Adios to Shaka.
Quote from: Vander Blue Man Group on December 16, 2025, 08:56:20 PMConsidering last season a "down year" is ludicrous.
Went 8-9 the second half of the season, with zero wins over KenPom top 40 teams (best win was a two-point squeaker past #43 Xavier).
Got smoked in the BE Tournament, and smoked again by a double-digit seed in the first round of the NCAA tournament.
Wins in November are great, and definitely not meaningless, but they crashed out when the games mattered most. Given the talent on the roster, the ability the team showed early in the season and then Shaka's inability to find any answers when things went south, I consider the season a disappointment.
If someone wishes just to look at the record and ignore context, they may come to a different conclusion, but I struggle to see last season as much of a success.
Quote from: Viper on December 16, 2025, 07:02:08 PMyes/no question. if 26/27 replicates 25/26, move on from Shaka?
Assuming MU continues on its current course this season, I'd be a bit surprised if MU didn't. This year to date has been an epic collapse. MU has new players arriving next year and has access to the portal. There wouldn't be a good excuse for being this bad again.
Quote from: Pakuni on December 16, 2025, 09:22:34 PMWent 8-9 the second half of the season, with zero wins over KenPom top 40 teams (best win was a two-point squeaker past #43 Xavier).
Got smoked in the BE Tournament, and smoked again by a double-digit seed in the first round of the NCAA tournament.
Wins in November are great, and definitely not meaningless, but they crashed out when the games mattered most. Given the talent on the roster, the ability the team showed early in the season and then Shaka's inability to find any answers when things went south, I consider the season a disappointment.
If someone wishes just to look at the record and ignore context, they may come to a different conclusion, but I struggle to see last season as much of a success.
I'll look at the season in it's entirety, thanks.
After two straight #2 seeds I have no issue with a 7 seed.
Again, ludicrous, IMO. Agree to disagree.
Quote from: Zog from Margo on December 16, 2025, 09:35:31 PMAssuming this season continues on its current course this season, I'd be a bit surprised if MU didn't. This year to date has been an epic collapse. MU has new players arriving next year and has access to the portal. There wouldn't be a good excuse for being this bad again.
Unless Shaka doesn't want to make some players upset and get calls from their moms.
Quote from: Viper on December 16, 2025, 08:08:43 PMthe no balls non answer I would expect.
How 'bout this: Only if he loses to RED again!
Quote from: Pakuni on December 16, 2025, 09:22:34 PMWent 8-9 the second half of the season, with zero wins over KenPom top 40 teams (best win was a two-point squeaker past #43 Xavier).
Got smoked in the BE Tournament, and smoked again by a double-digit seed in the first round of the NCAA tournament.
Wins in November are great, and definitely not meaningless, but they crashed out when the games mattered most. Given the talent on the roster, the ability the team showed early in the season and then Shaka's inability to find any answers when things went south, I consider the season a disappointment.
If someone wishes just to look at the record and ignore context, they may come to a different conclusion, but I struggle to see last season as much of a success.
It gets debated endlessly from all sides, but I think this is another example of not recognizing this program's history.
Last year we definitely faded down the stretch and the no transfer stuff was a clear culprit as well. Shaka needs to adjust, and I've been critical. But if a 7 seed after 9-2-2 were a real issue you should've been teaming up with Ners to blast Wojo from the start of his tenure. The fade and subsequent Hauser transfers ultimately weren't any worse than last year, and that was Wojo's best year.
Quote from: Small Orange Soda on December 17, 2025, 02:01:24 AMIt gets debated endlessly from all sides, but I think this is another example of not recognizing this program's history.
Last year we definitely faded down the stretch and the no transfer stuff was a clear culprit as well. Shaka needs to adjust, and I've been critical. But if a 7 seed after 9-2-2 were a real issue you should've been teaming up with Ners to blast Wojo from the start of his tenure. The fade and subsequent Hauser transfers ultimately weren't any worse than last year, and that was Wojo's best year.
I've said this in other threads. A 7 seed isn't a bad Marquette season by any means. Heck, I would've considered a 7-10 seed for this team a massive success this season.
BUT - looking at the trend, it's impossible and frankly negligent to ignore how bad we were from January on last year and how the issues continue to bleed into this year. Lack of depth, ignoring the portal etc.
For those above reasons, I deem last year......FAILURE
Quote from: Viper on December 16, 2025, 07:02:08 PMyes/no question. if 26/27 replicates 25/26, move on from Shaka?
Yes. Obviously yes. If we didn't, we're DePaul accepting our lot but with a more overpaid coach.
Shaka earned a leash with 4 straight bids and a pair of 2-seeds, but he didn't walk on water. He didn't win a national championship. That is the only thing that gets a lifetime pass from me.
Two years of this would clearly demonstrate he cannot successfully transition to the new roster building paradigm and that 2022-25 was likely a lucky string with some generational players, most of which were transfers or recruited by another coach.
Quote from: MU82 on December 17, 2025, 01:20:27 AMHow 'bout this: Only if he loses to RED again!
he will, I mean, that's a lock
Quote from: Elonsmusk on December 16, 2025, 08:41:58 PMNo. The idiocy of 20%ish of Scoop is laughable.
Wonder how Scoop would have reacted if Shaka left Marquette after his 3rd year after getting us two 2 seeds. Scoop would have lost its mind. But we've got clowns like you suggesting after 2 (hypothetically) down years MU should move on? It's laughable.
you stoned again? Bong,gummies or goin' w/brownies this time? I didn't suggest anything, EMusk. Rather, I asked 82 a question. However, i'll answer my own question...if 26/27 is as 25/26 is going and most likely concludes, launch him. It's not difficult. High major basketball at a basketball-only school cannot afford, literally , this kind of trend. Pakuni correctly mentioned 24/25 trending downward. This year...crapola. Next year too? Thx for 6 seasons. Your buyout check will be mailed. Clown.out
Quote from: Small Orange Soda on December 17, 2025, 02:01:24 AMIt gets debated endlessly from all sides, but I think this is another example of not recognizing this program's history.
Last year we definitely faded down the stretch and the no transfer stuff was a clear culprit as well. Shaka needs to adjust, and I've been critical. But if a 7 seed after 9-2-2 were a real issue you should've been teaming up with Ners to blast Wojo from the start of his tenure. The fade and subsequent Hauser transfers ultimately weren't any worse than last year, and that was Wojo's best year.
I'm trying hard to get what you're saying here, but I'm not quite there. Because I consider the way last season played out a disappointment, I should have called for Wojo's firing from the start of his tenure? That's a pretty wild non-sequitur.
Anyhow, when people like you say we should judge a season against the program's history, which history? The Bob Dukiet era? The Al era? Buzz era? Some of you seem pretty hung up on the Wojo era ... is that the bar for success? Was last season OK, because Wojo also had a season that started out great and faded? And didn't Wojo get ripped here and elsewhere because of the way that season ended, to the extent he had to shut down his social media? By and large, Shaka's been given a relative pass for the way last season ended.
I guess I chose to judge a team's performance and success based on what that team does, not what happened 10, 20 or 50 years ago.
Quote from: brewcity77 on December 17, 2025, 06:56:50 AMYes. Obviously yes. If we didn't, we're DePaul accepting our lot but with a more overpaid coach.
Shaka earned a leash with 4 straight bids and a pair of 2-seeds, but he didn't walk on water. He didn't win a national championship. That is the only thing that gets a lifetime pass from me.
Two years of this would clearly demonstrate he cannot successfully transition to the new roster building paradigm and that 2022-25 was likely a lucky string with some generational players, most of which were transfers or recruited by another coach.
We're blaming Shaka, but could it be the Administration? We're 3-4 years in on NIL and in year one on revenue sharing which is just not men's basketball. Could it be that they're just figuring how they're going to divide up that pie (men's basketball, women's basketball and volleyball, etc.) to make it all work? Maybe Shaka just doesn't have the cash to get the players to be competitive? I think this off season might tell us in what direction the University will go. They dropped football in 1960. They just might decide that to be competitive at the high major D1 level in Men's basketball for National Championships is too costly in this new age of college athletics. When you have the AD and University President promoting RGV you have to wonder.
However, if we do have the cash, then it's on Shaka as we're certainly not getting an acceptable ROI.
Quote from: muwarrior69 on December 17, 2025, 09:33:33 AMWe're blaming Shaka, but could it be the Administration? We're 3-4 years in on NIL and in year one on revenue sharing which is just not men's basketball. Could it be that they're just figuring how they're going to divide up that pie (men's basketball, women's basketball and volleyball, etc.) to make it all work? Maybe Shaka just doesn't have the cash to get the players to be competitive? I think this off season might tell us in what direction the University will go. They dropped football in 1960. They just might decide that to be competitive at the high major D1 level in Men's basketball for National Championships is too costly in this new age of college athletics. When you have the AD and University President promoting RGV you have to wonder.
I follow your logic, but no, that is not it. MU has sufficient resources to compete in Big East and thus on the national stage for NCAA bids and maybe championships.
Many here sort of believe the opposite of what you are describing. MU's money is so good that players are at MU until the NCAA tells them they have to go.
Quote from: muwarrior69 on December 17, 2025, 09:33:33 AMWe're blaming Shaka, but could it be the Administration? We're 3-4 years in on NIL and in year one on revenue sharing which is just not men's basketball. Could it be that they're just figuring how they're going to divide up that pie (men's basketball, women's basketball and volleyball, etc.) to make it all work? Maybe Shaka just doesn't have the cash to get the players to be competitive? I think this off season might tell us in what direction the University will go. They dropped football in 1960. They just might decide that to be competitive at the high major D1 level in Men's basketball for National Championships is too costly in this new age of college athletics. When you have the AD and University President promoting RGV you have to wonder.
However, if we do have the cash, then it's on Shaka as we're certainly not getting an acceptable ROI.
No, I've heard multiple times that we've lost recruits not because we don't have the money but because we won't negotiate. And the biggest dollars are in the portal where we won't compete. I'm the last guy that will give admin a pass here, but we have the money and are choosing not to use is.
Quote from: Jay Bee on December 17, 2025, 07:04:55 AM*its
Lot of talk going around that you're one of the worst pickleball players in the state of Minnesota.
Quote from: brewcity77 on December 17, 2025, 10:27:06 AMNo, I've heard multiple times that we've lost recruits not because we don't have the money but because we won't negotiate. And the biggest dollars are in the portal where we won't compete. I'm the last guy that will give admin a pass here, but we have the money and are choosing not to use is.
Nothing new here. MU has sports to make money, unlike some other schools. When they do not make money they drop the sport. That is why football was dropped at MU. Will basketball be dropped? It is too early to tell but the days of winning an NCAA tournament are dimming as it is for a number of other under funded schools.
Welcome to the new world as the best well funded division I teams move to a few large conferences. The rest of the colleges? Well you get the idea. Create a new division? Anybodies guess. Has anyone thought about the implications of the new NIL world? Do the powers to be care? As long as the total consolidated profit from the sport overall increases it will not change. Yes, it is all about the money my friends. It is a business first and a sport second.
Quote from: Class71 on December 17, 2025, 10:55:27 AMWill basketball be dropped?
Yup, and I look forward to the Scoop poll on what the golf team's record will be after its first 5 matches.
Quote from: brewcity77 on December 17, 2025, 10:27:06 AMNo, I've heard multiple times that we've lost recruits not because we don't have the money but because we won't negotiate. And the biggest dollars are in the portal where we won't compete. I'm the last guy that will give admin a pass here, but we have the money and are choosing not to use is.
This, and its purely Shaka choosing not to use it. Heard before the Purdue game a few of the major boosters are pissed, even more than us scoopers, because there is way too much money available for the roster to be so lacking in talent. Shaka's gonna get next year to fix it, but his seat is not as cold as most people assume. He's going to have to adapt or he's going to be gone if we're in this same spot 12 months from now.
Quote from: JTJ3 on December 17, 2025, 11:13:35 AMHeard before the Purdue game a few of the major boosters are pissed, even more than us scoopers, because there is way too much money available for the roster to be so lacking in talent.
Best news I've heard in a while. Bless those guys.
Quote from: JTJ3 on December 17, 2025, 11:13:35 AMThis, and its purely Shaka choosing not to use it. Heard before the Purdue game a few of the major boosters are pissed, even more than us scoopers, because there is way too much money available for the roster to be so lacking in talent. Shaka's gonna get next year to fix it, but his seat is not as cold as most people assume. He's going to have to adapt or he's going to be gone if we're in this same spot 12 months from now.
That is interesting about boosters. I used to have better access to some of the boosters years ago and knew that Wojo was not as locked in as some on Scoop professed ('wins no matta' anyone?). Turns out the whispers I heard were right back then, so I think people would be wise to expect anything.
IMHO, I want Shaka back because I truly believe he is very good and ultra competitive and can figure this out.
Quote from: JTJ3 on December 17, 2025, 11:13:35 AMThis, and its purely Shaka choosing not to use it. Heard before the Purdue game a few of the major boosters are pissed, even more than us scoopers, because there is way too much money available for the roster to be so lacking in talent. Shaka's gonna get next year to fix it, but his seat is not as cold as most people assume. He's going to have to adapt or he's going to be gone if we're in this same spot 12 months from now.
Quote from: brewcity77 on December 17, 2025, 10:27:06 AMNo, I've heard multiple times that we've lost recruits not because we don't have the money but because we won't negotiate. And the biggest dollars are in the portal where we won't compete. I'm the last guy that will give admin a pass here, but we have the money and are choosing not to use is.
Why would they do that? We already were seeing the collapse of the RGV approach last season. This season has only exposed that the talent we have is the talent we're willing to pay for.
Quote from: JTJ3 on December 17, 2025, 11:13:35 AMShaka's gonna get next year to fix it, but his seat is not as cold as most people assume. He's going to have to adapt or he's going to be gone if we're in this same spot 12 months from now.
Most Scoopers assume he'll be gone if he follows this season with another one just like it.
Quote from: MU82 on December 17, 2025, 12:34:49 PMMost Scoopers assume he'll be gone if he follows this season with another one just like it.
I've been told only a clown would think that.
Quote from: Pakuni on December 17, 2025, 12:54:09 PMI've been told only a clown would think that.
By most Scoopers?
Quote from: Pakuni on December 17, 2025, 12:54:09 PMI've been told only a clown would think that.
You're right.
Quote from: Elonsmusk on December 17, 2025, 01:11:40 PMYou're right.
Sounds like something a slurper might say.
Quote from: withoutbias on December 16, 2025, 12:10:12 PMTalk about clowns, people actually pay attention to/follow parents (or siblings, friends, etc.) of the players and what they say on social media? Good lord.
BEGoldenEagle (guy who tweeted) shared it in the MU discord otherwise I wouldn't have even seen it.
Totally agree with you that following or valuing what parents say is usually a waste of time. I do think it is telling that there seems to be way too much value within this program put into things that aren't winning games. Call it confirming your priors, foolish as that may be, but to see a parent of an underperforming player and a parent of a walk-on publicly decrying that we're being too harsh on Shaka for
judging him based on wins and losses...that's so asinine it borders on parody. But it's in total lockstep with everything they're selling us: RGV, loyalty to all of the players (at the detriment of team success), not recruiting over players.
Of course the parents of Tre Norman, Sean Jones, Caedin Hamilton, Damarius Owens think Shaka is a godsend - they're all being compensated incredibly well relative to what they're getting paid to do. But to be so brazen about it tells me that they're peddling a lot of bullcrap within the program.
Quote from: onepost on December 17, 2025, 02:39:15 PMBEGoldenEagle (guy who tweeted) shared it in the MU discord otherwise I wouldn't have even seen it.
Totally agree with you that following or valuing what parents say is usually a waste of time. I do think it is telling that there seems to be way too much value within this program put into things that aren't winning games. Call it confirming your priors, foolish as that may be, but to see a parent of an underperforming player and a parent of a walk-on publicly decrying that we're being too harsh on Shaka for judging him based on wins and losses...that's so asinine it borders on parody. But it's in total lockstep with everything they're selling us: RGV, loyalty to all of the players (at the detriment of team success), not recruiting over players.
Of course the parents of Tre Norman, Sean Jones, Caedin Hamilton, Damarius Owens think Shaka is a godsend - they're all being compensated incredibly well relative to what they're getting paid to do. But to be so brazen about it tells me that they're peddling a lot of bullcrap within the program.
::)
Quote from: muwarrior69 on December 17, 2025, 12:21:28 PMWhy would they do that? We already were seeing the collapse of the RGV approach last season. This season has only exposed that the talent we have is the talent we're willing to pay for.
No, it's Shaka choosing not to use it. The money is there for him to go add some legit talent, whether its better HS recruits or portal. He is choosing not to, because he doesn't want to recruit over his guys.
I really hope he adjusts, he is a really good coach. I love the stuff we run offensively and the way he ideally wants to play defense. He just has to stop being stubborn with how he builds this roster. We'll find out in a few months if he is going to change or if he's ok losing this job.
Quote from: withoutbias on December 17, 2025, 02:46:18 PM::)
Haha you guys can keep giving this canned response as if what I'm saying isn't bearing out on a weekly basis.
By all means!
Not sure Damarius is fond of the PT (or lack thereof) he's getting, but maybe.
Quote from: onepost on December 17, 2025, 02:39:15 PMBEGoldenEagle (guy who tweeted) shared it in the MU discord otherwise I wouldn't have even seen it.
Totally agree with you that following or valuing what parents say is usually a waste of time. I do think it is telling that there seems to be way too much value within this program put into things that aren't winning games. Call it confirming your priors, foolish as that may be, but to see a parent of an underperforming player and a parent of a walk-on publicly decrying that we're being too harsh on Shaka for judging him based on wins and losses...that's so asinine it borders on parody. But it's in total lockstep with everything they're selling us: RGV, loyalty to all of the players (at the detriment of team success), not recruiting over players.
Of course the parents of Tre Norman, Sean Jones, Caedin Hamilton, Damarius Owens think Shaka is a godsend - they're all being compensated incredibly well relative to what they're getting paid to do. But to be so brazen about it tells me that they're peddling a lot of bullcrap within the program.
Be careful or you'll pull something with this kind of stretch.
Quote from: Vander Blue Man Group on December 17, 2025, 04:39:07 PMBe careful or you'll pull something with this kind of stretch.
Pull your head outta the sand before you suffocate, VBMG!
Quote from: onepost on December 17, 2025, 04:43:06 PMPull your head outta the sand before you suffocate, VBMG!
I'm not the one spouting a conspiracy theory based on what a handful of relatives posted on social media
Quote from: Vander Blue Man Group on December 17, 2025, 04:48:17 PMI'm not the one spouting a conspiracy theory based on what a handful of relatives posted on social media
Conspiracy theory? Hahaha we're getting RGV shoved down our throats like the fat kid eating cake in Matilda and that sentiment seems to be all-encompassing at the Al!
So how many losses will it take to get rid of Shaka? Will 27 be enough, because I think that number might be attainable.
Finishing the season with single digit wins would make things real interesting
Quote from: IL Warrior on December 17, 2025, 09:30:19 PMSo how many losses will it take to get rid of Shaka? Will 27 be enough, because I think that number might be attainable.
We could lose every game the rest of the season and he'll be just fine. No one's gonna fire Shaka over one bad year, no matter how bad it gets. He'll be given a chance to turn things around next season.
The seat
will get very hot, however, if next season starts and no changes are made.
Quote from: K1 Lover on December 17, 2025, 09:52:17 PMWe could lose every game the rest of the season and he'll be just fine. No one's gonna fire Shaka over one bad year, no matter how bad it gets. He'll be given a chance to turn things around next season.
The seat will get very hot, however, if next season starts and no changes are made.
Sadly, I believe you. An 0-20 conference season, 0-27 against non-cupcakes should be a guaranteed firing, but I don't believe Broeker would pull the trigger.
Completely outcoached by Cooley. No answer for a zone, benching starters with no explanation, continuing with these incomprehensible lineups, I'm not sure what happened but Shaka looks inept out there. Beaten soundly by a depleted Georgetown.
Gary Parish always says he's not sure why programs give guys an extra year when it's clear they're going to be fired at the end of it. Thus far, there is zero indication Shaka should be back beyond this year.
Seriously, anyone, what is one thing Shaka has done in this 2025-26 season that warrants bringing him back?
Firing Shaka after his first bad year would be insane. Deciding every year whether a coach has done well enough in that year to bring him back is a horrendous way to run a basketball program.
Quote from: wadesworld on December 17, 2025, 10:09:34 PMFiring Shaka after his first bad year would be insane. Deciding every year whether a coach has done well enough in that year to bring him back is a horrendous way to run a basketball program.
So what you're saying is "he has done absolutely nothing in 2025-26 to warrant coming back another year."
Noted.
Quote from: brewcity77 on December 17, 2025, 10:05:49 PMCompletely outcoached by Cooley. No answer for a zone, benching starters with no explanation, continuing with these incomprehensible lineups, I'm not sure what happened but Shaka looks inept out there. Beaten soundly by a depleted Georgetown.
Gary Parish always says he's not sure why programs give guys an extra year when it's clear they're going to be fired at the end of it. Thus far, there is zero indication Shaka should be back beyond this year.
Seriously, anyone, what is one thing Shaka has done in this 2025-26 season that warrants bringing him back?
I never enjoy the hot seat conversation but after tonight it is warranted.
Shaka prides himself on relationships and already showed his loyalty to players well below the Marquette standard.
If he stays on next season, the majority of the players from this year will be back.
The only way to right this ship at this point is to start completely fresh.
What is improvement from this season? Not losing every single game to teams with a pulse?
Quote from: wadesworld on December 17, 2025, 10:09:34 PMFiring Shaka after his first bad year would be insane. Deciding every year whether a coach has done well enough in that year to bring him back is a horrendous way to run a basketball program.
This isn't a bad year. It's a catastrophe that should never happen at a program like Marquette.
Quote from: brewcity77 on December 17, 2025, 10:10:52 PMSo what you're saying is "he has done absolutely nothing in 2025-26 to warrant coming back another year."
Noted.
Mizzou should've moved on from Dennis Gates after an 0 for SEC season. Kentucky should move on from Pope. UNC should've moved on from Davis.
This is really dumb.
Quote from: brewcity77 on December 17, 2025, 10:10:52 PMSo what you're saying is "he has done absolutely nothing in 2025-26 to warrant coming back another year."
Noted.
This has so far been an awful year, but you can't just write off his first 4. I think his seat is scalding if he doubles down on not taking transfers going into next year.
I think he's a good enough coach that if he can find a few guys in the portal and our young guys take a step (which very much didn't happen this year) he can right the ship.
Firing a guy for one terrible year after 4 straight tourneys, 2 of which are 2 seeds is too quick in my opinion. However, if he shows he's not willing to adjust with the times, you have to move on.
Quote from: wadesworld on December 17, 2025, 10:13:12 PMMizzou should've moved on from Dennis Gates after an 0 for SEC season. Kentucky should move on from Pope. UNC should've moved on from Davis.
This is really dumb.
Do you want a shovel? You seem intent on continuing to dig with no defense for your position.
Quote from: cheebs09 on December 17, 2025, 10:16:39 PMThis has so far been an awful year, but you can't just write off his first 4. I think his seat is scalding if he doubles down on not taking transfers going into next year.
I think he's a good enough coach that if he can find a few guys in the portal and our young guys take a step (which very much didn't happen this year) he can right the ship.
Firing a guy for one terrible year after 4 straight tourneys, 2 of which are 2 seeds is too quick in my opinion. However, if he shows he's not willing to adjust with the times, you have to move on.
You cut bait this season if he says he's rolling into next year with this roster.
Quote from: brewcity77 on December 17, 2025, 10:17:02 PMDo you want a shovel? You seem intent on continuing to dig with no defense for your position.
Lol. My position is it's absurd to fire a coach that has had nothing but success for his first four years for one bad year, and to determine whether a coach "deserves to be back" every year, without taking into account the entire tenure. That's an absolutely asinine way to run an athletic department. I know we're failing your expectations and I know you think a 7 seed should be MU's down year despite history saying that's crazy, but you're smarter than this.
Gary Parish saying something about guys who haven't had any success at their job doesn't mean it applies to every individual season. There's also a reason Gary Parish is a journalist and not running an athletic department.
Quote from: wadesworld on December 17, 2025, 10:13:12 PMMizzou should've moved on from Dennis Gates after an 0 for SEC season. Kentucky should move on from Pope. UNC should've moved on from Davis.
This is really dumb.
I'm mostly on your side but come on the Pope and Davis comparisons are frankly laughable.
Quote from: wadesworld on December 17, 2025, 10:19:28 PMLol. My position is it's absurd to fire a coach that has had nothing but success for his first four years for one bad year, and to determine whether a coach "deserves to be back" every year, without taking into account the entire tenure. That's an absolutely asinine way to run an athletic department. I know we're failing your expectations and I know you think a 7 seed should be MU's down year despite history saying that's crazy, but you're smarter than this.
Gary Parish saying something about guys who haven't had any success at their job doesn't mean it applies to every individual season. There's also a reason Gary Parish is a journalist and not running an athletic department.
*3.5 years of success and currently leading Marquette to one of its worst seasons ever.
Quote from: cheebs09 on December 17, 2025, 10:16:39 PMI think he's a good enough coach that if he can find a few guys in the portal and our young guys take a step (which very much didn't happen this year) he can right the ship.
What this season has shown that? He's coaching scared. Won't call timeouts. Can't scheme against a zone. Defense is broken. I don't know WTF happened but the biggest problem with this team is what's happening on the sidelines. I've never seen a coach so thoroughly out of ideas.
Quote from: wadesworld on December 17, 2025, 10:13:12 PMMizzou should've moved on from Dennis Gates after an 0 for SEC season. Kentucky should move on from Pope. UNC should've moved on from Davis.
This is really dumb.
I mean, UNC should have moved on from Davis.
Quote from: wadesworld on December 17, 2025, 10:13:12 PMMizzou should've moved on from Dennis Gates after an 0 for SEC season. Kentucky should move on from Pope. UNC should've moved on from Davis.
This is really dumb.
I don't know if any of these guys will actually get fired, but if any of them have a disappointing season they'll be on the hot seat.
Quote from: Galway Eagle on December 17, 2025, 10:21:04 PMI'm mostly on your side but come on the Pope and Davis comparisons are frankly laughable.
Are they? They are ACTUALLY at blue bloods. Marquette is nowhere near the level of Kentucky or UNC. And Davis has disappointed for multiple seasons.
Quote from: wadesworld on December 17, 2025, 10:19:28 PMLol. My position is it's absurd to fire a coach that has had nothing but success for his first four years for one bad year, and to determine whether a coach "deserves to be back" every year, without taking into account the entire tenure. That's an absolutely asinine way to run an athletic department. I know we're failing your expectations and I know you think a 7 seed should be MU's down year despite history saying that's crazy, but you're smarter than this.
Gary Parish saying something about guys who haven't had any success at their job doesn't mean it applies to every individual season. There's also a reason Gary Parish is a journalist and not running an athletic department.
So still not one single thing he's done this year to justify him returning next year. At least you're making use of that shovel.
Quote from: brewcity77 on December 17, 2025, 10:25:43 PMSo still not one single thing he's done this year to justify him returning next year. At least you're making use of that shovel.
Okay. You are this dumb.
Quote from: wadesworld on December 17, 2025, 10:23:25 PMAre they? They are ACTUALLY at blue bloods. Marquette is nowhere near the level of Kentucky or UNC. And Davis has disappointed for multiple seasons.
Is the argument that since blue bloods will let a coach hang around for too long, Marquette should?
Quote from: wadesworld on December 17, 2025, 10:27:16 PMOkay. You are this dumb.
Play along - what happens next season? How do results improve from here?
Quote from: wadesworld on December 17, 2025, 10:23:25 PMAre they? They are ACTUALLY at blue bloods. Marquette is nowhere near the level of Kentucky or UNC. And Davis has disappointed for multiple seasons.
Yes. Davis has disappointed, that's a far cry from UNC's worst season for over 30 years. Similar with Pope, rough or disappointing years happen, even at blue bloods but those aren't full on catastrophes like this.
Again I'm mostly on your side here and like the gates comp, just calling out the absurd other two.
Quote from: wadesworld on December 17, 2025, 10:27:16 PMOkay. You are this dumb.
If that's the best you can come up with, probably time to log off and save yourself further embarrassment. Tonight ain't the night to defend this BS.
Quote from: brewcity77 on December 17, 2025, 10:05:49 PMSeriously, anyone, what is one thing Shaka has done in this 2025-26 season that warrants bringing him back?
-He scheduled 2 games in Chicago.
-He secured the commitments of Sheek Pearson and Alex Egbuonu for next season.
-He sent Joplin, Oso, TyKo, and Kam some nice RGV gear
-He hasn't yet turned on his fragile team in the press
-He deservedly and quickly put two freshmen into the starting lineup.
I get you're very upset, you should be.
I don't get you turning on Shaka so quickly, it's pretty myopic.
He deserves a ton of the blame, and I promise you he will wear that blame.
The individuals on the court carry some of it as well. He believed in them and their improvement, and they have let him down.
The thought of avoiding the portal, sticking with your guys, growing old and staying old, etc etc makes a lot of sense in a bubble, especially at Marquette.
He will adapt and correct it by next season, and you will look foolish for even suggesting that he should be canned.
It's preposterous.
Besides, I know it takes some imagination, especially in bleak days like we are currently living, but a future of (current underclassmen)
-Nigel James
-Adrien Stevens
-Royce Parham
-Damarius Owens
-Josh Clark
-Phillips II
-Ian Miletic
-Ethan Johnston
-Nash Walker
-Sheek Pearson
-Alex Egbuonu
from a pedigree and ability standpoint isn't completely devoid of future talent.
Does it excite me without a big splash in the portal? Not quite, but it's not a complete future disaster.
At the end of the day, if Coach Shaka is who I think he is, a year like this one will help improve both him and Marquette in the long run.
Quote from: brewcity77 on December 17, 2025, 10:25:43 PMSo still not one single thing he's done this year to justify him returning next year. At least you're making use of that shovel.
Come on, you're being absolutely ridiculous.
I agree he, the staff, and the team have been absolutely horrendous. And his plan moving forward should be part of the equation.
But you ignoring the first 4 years of his tenure is inexplicable and illogical.
Quote from: wadesworld on December 17, 2025, 10:19:28 PMLol. My position is it's absurd to fire a coach that has had nothing but success for his first four years for one bad year, and to determine whether a coach "deserves to be back" every year, without taking into account the entire tenure. That's an absolutely asinine way to run an athletic department. I know we're failing your expectations and I know you think a 7 seed should be MU's down year despite history saying that's crazy, but you're smarter than this.
Gary Parish saying something about guys who haven't had any success at their job doesn't mean it applies to every individual season. There's also a reason Gary Parish is a journalist and not running an athletic department.
He won with Wojo's recruits and transfers. Wojo's recruits are all gone and he has refused to take transfers. This season is what you get with Shaka's RGV.
If you want to focus on the past, here are some stats for you:
Shaka has lost his last 5 NCAA tournament games against single-digit seeds. The last win was in 2012.
Shaka is 1-10 in his last 11 NCAA tournament games against teams seeded 1-14.
We kept our last coach long after it was clear he couldn't cut it at this level. Let's not make that mistake again.
Quote from: brewcity77 on December 17, 2025, 10:22:15 PMWhat this season has shown that? He's coaching scared. Won't call timeouts. Can't scheme against a zone. Defense is broken. I don't know WTF happened but the biggest problem with this team is what's happening on the sidelines. I've never seen a coach so thoroughly out of ideas.
This season is only half over. It's a train wreck. But I'm going to give him the benefit of the doubt based on his career and time at MU.
Maybe I'm just a crazy optimist, but I think he can be very successful here, but he definitely has to change his roster building or else the margin of error is just razor thin.
Quote from: DoctorV on December 17, 2025, 10:32:19 PM-He scheduled 2 games in Chicago.
-He secured the commitments of Sheek Pearson and Alex Egbuonu for next season.
-He sent Joplin, Oso, TyKo, and Kam some nice RGV gear
-He hasn't yet turned on his fragile team in the press
-He deservedly and quickly put two freshmen into the starting lineup.
I get you're very upset, you should be.
I don't get you turning on Shaka so quickly, it's pretty myopic.
He deserves a ton of the blame, and I promise you he will wear that blame.
The individuals on the court carry some of it as well. He believed in them and their improvement, and they have let him down.
The thought of avoiding the portal, sticking with your guys, growing old and staying old, etc etc makes a lot of sense in a bubble, especially at Marquette.
He will adapt and correct it by next season, and you will look foolish for even suggesting that he should be canned.
It's preposterous.
Besides, I know it takes some imagination, especially in bleak days like we are currently living, but a future of (current underclassmen)
-Nigel James
-Adrien Stevens
-Royce Parham
-Damarius Owens
-Josh Clark
-Phillips II
-Ian Miletic
-Ethan Johnston
-Nash Walker
-Sheek Pearson
-Alex Egbuonu
from a pedigree and ability standpoint isn't completely devoid of future talent.
Does it excite me without a big splash in the portal? Not quite, but it's not a complete future disaster.
At the end of the day, if Coach Shaka is who I think he is, a year like this one will help improve both him and Marquette in the long run.
This is insane. What a wild post.
And of the players you're hanging your hat on moving forward? Only James and parham have played what I would consider meaningful minutes at this level. And neither of them are lighting it up.
Quote from: wadesworld on December 17, 2025, 10:09:34 PMFiring Shaka after his first bad year would be insane. Deciding every year whether a coach has done well enough in that year to bring him back is a horrendous way to run a basketball program.
I think this a good point on a regular down year. .500 maybe a little better. Remember when Wojo went 8-10 in Big East play?
But Chicago St. bad? Wow. I like Shaka as well but this is utter incompetence.
Hope he does the right thing with his roster at the end of the season. Keep the best. Jettison the worst. Back fill with high level portal players.
Quote from: Shooter McGavin on December 17, 2025, 10:37:35 PMI think this a good point on a regular down year. .500 maybe a little better. Remember when Wojo went 8-10 in Big East play?
But Chicago St. bad? Wow. I like Shaka as well but this is utter incompetence.
Hope he does the right thing with his roster at the end of the season. Keep the best. Jettison the worst. Back fill with high level portal players.
I hope to look back on this post at the end of the year and think how silly it is based on the hopeful improvement from the team. However, so far, this is a fireable performance. Heck we almost/should have lost to VALPO at home! Without their best player for half the game! It's time for a restart. Shaka is not willing to put a decent product on the floor and values relationships more than actually winning.
Quote from: IL Warrior on December 17, 2025, 10:34:25 PMHe won with Wojo's recruits and transfers. Wojo's recruits are all gone and he has refused to take transfers. This season is what you get with Shaka's RGV.
If you want to focus on the past, here are some stats for you:
Shaka has lost his last 5 NCAA tournament games against single-digit seeds. The last win was in 2012.
Shaka is 1-10 in his last 11 NCAA tournament games against teams seeded 1-14.
We kept our last coach long after it was clear he couldn't cut it at this level. Let's not make that mistake again.
He did win with his transfers
We're also forgetting how Shaka left Texas... he knew he was going to be fired after one more year so he left for Marquette to save his image and start fresh.
Could easily see that happening this offseason, since he's done it before. He has to know he's boxed himself in here, he needs more talent but to cut guys and add real talent he'd be destroying everything he's preached about relationships the past 4 years.
Plus this would also save Marquette from having to pay the buyout next year. Win/win.
Quote from: Vander Blue Man Group on December 17, 2025, 10:32:29 PMCome on, you're being absolutely ridiculous.
I agree he, the staff, and the team have been absolutely horrendous. And his plan moving forward should be part of the equation.
But you ignoring the first 4 years of his tenure is inexplicable and illogical.
It's not illogical. The logic is that he built a 4-year run of success effectively on the backs of players: transfers Morsell, Kuath, Prosper, & Kolek, Wojo recruits Lewis, Ighodaro, Jones, & Mitchell, and his own recruits Joplin & Ross.
When he was using the transfers he no longer takes and the players he didn't identify, he did well. But we saw results start to flag last year with his own guys taking a heavier load and see complete ineptitude with his first full RGV roster.
This happening once, it's a disastrous season. But letting it happen again would be courting DePaul territory. And once a coach is on the hot seat, they never really get off.
I'm not ignoring the first four years, I'm following the logic that they were an anomaly this staff is actively choosing to not repeat.
Quote from: panda on December 17, 2025, 10:35:42 PMThis is insane. What a wild post.
And of the players you're hanging your hat on moving forward? Only James and parham have played what I would consider meaningful minutes at this level. And neither of them are lighting it up.
I'd guess the chance that James comes back is fading every game.
Quote from: brewcity77 on December 17, 2025, 10:43:14 PMIt's not illogical. The logic is that he built a 4-year run of success effectively on the backs of players: transfers Morsell, Kuath, Prosper, & Kolek, Wojo recruits Lewis, Ighodaro, Jones, & Mitchell, and his own recruits Joplin & Ross.
When he was using the transfers he no longer takes and the players he didn't identify, he did well. But we saw results start to flag last year with his own guys taking a heavier load and see complete ineptitude with his first full RGV roster.
This happening once, it's a disastrous season. But letting it happen again would be courting DePaul territory. And once a coach is on the hot seat, they never really get off.
I'm not ignoring the first four years, I'm following the logic that they were an anomaly this staff is actively choosing to not repeat.
Saying 4 years of success is an anomaly but one disastrous year isn't is illogical.
Now, if he flat out says he will not use the portal this offseason than that changes the equation.
Quote from: Vander Blue Man Group on December 17, 2025, 10:48:00 PMSaying 4 years of success is an anomaly but one disastrous year isn't is illogical.
Now, if he flat out says he will not use the portal this offseason than that changes the equation.
*3.5 years of success
Quote from: panda on December 17, 2025, 10:35:42 PMThis is insane. What a wild post.
And of the players you're hanging your hat on moving forward? Only James and parham have played what I would consider meaningful minutes at this level. And neither of them are lighting it up.
Yep took some pretty wild mental gymnastics to defend the dude that has given Marquette a Big East double and several 2 seeds in his first 4 seasons at Marquette, especially when he's got a decent crop of highly ranked recruits in the pipeline.
He came in and spent 2 weeks recruiting and put together a crop that included TyKo and Omax, along with retaining the talent Wojo had secured.
Then, he made what he thought was a logical decision in going away from the portal in order to entice future recruits and aid in retention of his talented guys already in house. He thought he could improve another crop of players the way he did that first crop, and he was wrong.
He was very wrong.
That doesn't mean we should doubt his ability to put an elite team together.
I mean we've already seen it for Chrissakes
Quote from: DoctorV on December 17, 2025, 10:32:19 PMHe deserves a ton of the blame, and I promise you he will wear that blame.
In the post game with Homer, he didn't take any fault. Blamed Chase & Ben not showing up, said we need 5 guys to play like Owens, effectively blaming everyone else's effort, but the biggest avoidance goal I've seen this season is Shaka avoiding accountability.
Quote from: brewcity77 on December 17, 2025, 10:50:43 PMIn the post game with Homer, he didn't take any fault. Blamed Chase & Ben not showing up, said we need 5 guys to play like Owens, effectively blaming everyone else's effort, but the biggest avoidance goal I've seen this season is Shaka avoiding accountability.
What a jag.
Expecting his seniors to not completely suck arse
Quote from: DoctorV on December 17, 2025, 10:50:24 PMYep took some pretty wild mental gymnastics to defend the dude that has given Marquette a Big East double and several 2 seeds in his first 4 seasons at Marquette, especially when he's got a decent crop of highly ranked recruits in the pipeline.
He came in and spent 2 weeks recruiting and put together a crop that included TyKo and Omax, along with retaining the talent Wojo had secured.
Then, he made what he thought was a logical decision in going away from the portal in order to entice future recruits and aid in retention of his talented guys already in house. He thought he could improve another crop of players the way he did that first crop, and he was wrong.
He was very wrong.
That doesn't mean we should doubt his ability to put an elite team together.
I mean we've already seen it for Chrissakes
Incredible memories which will mostly be erased by what is already the worst Marquette basketball season in modern history. And with no hope for the future unless he completely gives up on RGV.
It's time to go
Quote from: brewcity77 on December 17, 2025, 10:50:43 PMIn the post game with Homer, he didn't take any fault. Blamed Chase & Ben not showing up, said we need 5 guys to play like Owens, effectively blaming everyone else's effort, but the biggest avoidance goal I've seen this season is Shaka avoiding accountability.
This is getting very concerning. I'm starting to think Shaka is done MU.
Quote from: panda on December 17, 2025, 10:53:10 PMIncredible memories which will mostly be erased by what is already the worst Marquette basketball season in modern history. And with no hope for the future unless he completely gives up on RGV.
It's time to go
Memories like those are never erased, they are etched in stone.
Your gratitude towards them is what's easily erased, and for that you should be ashamed
Quote from: Vander Blue Man Group on December 17, 2025, 10:51:02 PM🙄
This is not be being pedantic. Ignoring the portal last year gave zero depth to a team that completely ran out of gas the second half of the season. And then ignored the portal again to put out the worst Marquette team many of us have ever seen on the floor.
So yes, I'm not giving him 4 years of success. 3.5
Quote from: panda on December 17, 2025, 10:55:00 PMThis is not be being pedantic. Ignoring the portal last year gave zero depth to a team that completely ran out of gas the second half of the season. And then ignored the portal again to put out the worst Marquette team many of us have ever seen on the floor.
So yes, I'm not giving him 4 years of success. 3.5
Ok.
Quote from: WhiteTrash on December 17, 2025, 10:54:15 PMThis is getting very concerning. I'm starting to think Shaka is done MU.
He's kind of behaving and coaching like a guy who's going to step down after the season.
Quote from: DoctorV on December 17, 2025, 10:54:39 PMMemories like those are never erased, they are etched in stone.
Your gratitude towards them is what's easily erased, and for that you should be ashamed
lol - this is cooky banana pants type posting.
Buddy we are 0-6 against high majors this year, should've lost to valpo at home and just got our butts kicked by gtown at home.
Our coach looks absolutely clueless on the sidelines and 90% of this roster is slated to return next year. The future is so wildly bleak that I am willing to overlook his past successes. It's even easier to over look them given the fact he completely turned his back on the roster building strategy which gave him that success.
Quote from: DoctorV on December 17, 2025, 10:53:03 PMWhat a jag.
Expecting his seniors to not completely suck arse
MU gave Shaka a suck arse GM to assemble his team, and expected Saka to not completely suck.
Quote from: brewcity77 on December 17, 2025, 10:43:14 PMIt's not illogical. The logic is that he built a 4-year run of success effectively on the backs of players: transfers Morsell, Kuath, Prosper, & Kolek, Wojo recruits Lewis, Ighodaro, Jones, & Mitchell, and his own recruits Joplin & Ross.
When he was using the transfers he no longer takes and the players he didn't identify, he did well. But we saw results start to flag last year with his own guys taking a heavier load and see complete ineptitude with his first full RGV roster.
This happening once, it's a disastrous season. But letting it happen again would be courting DePaul territory. And once a coach is on the hot seat, they never really get off.
I'm not ignoring the first four years, I'm following the logic that they were an anomaly this staff is actively choosing to not repeat.
Come on acting like he didn't identify Oso is disingenuous. You're better than that.
Quote from: panda on December 17, 2025, 10:58:14 PMlol - this is cooky banana pants type posting.
Buddy we are 0-6 against high majors this year, should've lost to valpo at home and just got our butts kicked by gtown at home.
Our coach looks absolutely clueless on the sidelines and 90% of this roster is slated to return next year. The future is so wildly bleak that I am willing to overlook his past successes. It's even easier to over look them given the fact he completely turned his back on the roster building strategy which gave him that success.
Pretty sure I wouldn't want to be your buddy
Quote from: DoctorV on December 17, 2025, 11:04:05 PMPretty sure I wouldn't want to be your buddy
That would be a condescending usage of the term for those keeping score at home.
Quote from: brewcity77 on December 17, 2025, 10:50:43 PMIn the post game with Homer, he didn't take any fault. Blamed Chase & Ben not showing up, said we need 5 guys to play like Owens, effectively blaming everyone else's effort, but the biggest avoidance goal I've seen this season is Shaka avoiding accountability.
You're off your rocker with this one.
Quote from: wadesworld on December 17, 2025, 10:13:12 PMMizzou should've moved on from Dennis Gates after an 0 for SEC season. Kentucky should move on from Pope. UNC should've moved on from Davis.
This is really dumb.
UNC SHOULD move on from Hubert Davis.
He's a bad basketball coach.
Brew's responses in the last few pages makes sense if you remember he picked this abomination of a team to finish second in the Big East. He is simply lashing out and assigning blame for being so wrong.
Quote from: Biggie Clausen on December 17, 2025, 10:56:19 PMHe's kind of behaving and coaching like a guy who's going to step down after the season.
Glad someone else sees it. The current landscape doesn't seem to be what he signed up for, and if he can't do things his way he may call it a day. Someone like Shaka can easily transition to broadcast like Jay Wright. Shaka is worth $15m (quick google search, don't @ me) and could walk away and be very comfortable for the rest of his life if he chooses.
Which he may.
Quote from: Hards Alumni on December 18, 2025, 07:55:29 AMGlad someone else sees it. The current landscape doesn't seem to be what he signed up for, and if he can't do things his way he may call it a day. Someone like Shaka can easily transition to broadcast like Jay Wright. Shaka is worth $15m (quick google search, don't @ me) and could walk away and be very comfortable for the rest of his life if he chooses.
Which he may.
Yeah! It does feel like Buzz's final season. The real question is will the Administration let the boosters spend their money to field a competitive team or do they have to go too. It will be an interesting off-season or perhaps sooner.
Shaka will get another shot at a P5 job if he steps down after this season and maybe takes a year or two off to do TV or just disappear altogether. He will be able to tell another school, "I tried to do something different with RGV, and it didn't work. But look how much success I had when I used the transfer portal and got Kolek and O-Max." Now, it wouldn't be a *good* P5 job; it'd be somewhere like Georgia Tech, Penn State, Ole Miss, etc. But he'd get another shot.
If he stays at MU another year and sticks to the philosophy he's backed himself into, and next year's team is as bad as this year's, that will be very hard to come back from. So, it would not surprise me at all to see him quit. Based on his vibe during last night's press conference, it seems like he can't wait for the season to be over.
Gottlieb announced he's finally focused on basketball, maybe we should get him
Y'all nuts
Quote from: brewcity77 on December 17, 2025, 10:31:45 PMIf that's the best you can come up with, probably time to log off and save yourself further embarrassment. Tonight ain't the night to defend this BS.
Nobody is defending "this BS." What I'm defending is Shaka having 4 years of being an awesome coach at Marquette and firing him because he failed in year 5, which he obviously did. The idea that he shouldn't get a chance to correct this is crazy, and the idea that he needs to "prove he deserves to be back" as our coach on a rolling 12 month basis is the most insane take Scoop has ever produced.
I can just imagine the coaching search if Shaka is fired.
Josh Schertz sitting in Broeker's office, deciding whether he might want to jump to Marquette, interview with Arizona State, or stay at SLU for another year: "So, Mike, you went a decade with no NCAA Tournament wins, Shaka came in and won a BE regular season and Tournament title, got the two highest seeds in your program's history, made a Sweet 16, and you fired him after his first missed Tournament. Is that the kind of leash I would get if I'm taking this job?"
Broeker: "Well, Josh, I didn't hire Shaka, and we look at a 7 seed as a down year here at Marquette."
Scherz: "But you worked as closely with Shaka as anyone in the athletic department for his first 4 years, traveling with the team, etc. Again, will I get fired after I miss the Tournament?"
Broeker: "Oh, Josh, we don't look at it season by season. We look at it on a rolling 12 month basis. Shaka may have got a 7 seed in 2025, but January 2025-January 2026 he was garbage so we had no choice. You can do an A- job through 3.5 years, but if a 12 month period is a failure, we're moving on. Again, high expectations here at Marquette."
Scherz, trying to figure out if he should fall out of his chair laughing or look around to find Ashton Kutcher running out of a hiding spot, certain he is on "Punked."
Quote from: wadesworld on December 18, 2025, 10:44:33 AMNobody is defending "this BS." What I'm defending is Shaka having 4 years of being an awesome coach at Marquette and firing him because he failed in year 5, which he obviously did. The idea that he shouldn't get a chance to correct this is crazy, and the idea that he should he needs to "prove he deserves to be back" as our coach on a rolling 12 month basis is the most insane take Scoop has ever produced.
I can just imagine the coaching search if Shaka is fired.
Josh Schertz sitting in Broeker's office, deciding whether he might want to jump to Marquette, interview with Arizona State, or stay at SLU for another year: "So, Mike, you went a decade with no NCAA Tournament wins, Shaka came in and won a BE regular season and Tournament title, got the two highest seeds in your program's history, made a Sweet 16, and you fired him after his first missed Tournament. Is that the kind of leash I would get if I'm taking this job?"
Broeker: "Well, Josh, I didn't hire Shaka, and we look at a 7 seed as a down year here at Marquette."
Scherz: "But you worked as closely with Shaka as anyone in the athletic department for his first 4 years, traveling with the team, etc. Again, will I get fired after I miss the Tournament?"
Broeker: "Oh, Josh, we don't look at it season by season. We look at it on a rolling 12 month basis. Shaka may have got a 7 seed in 2025, but January 2025-January 2026 he was garbage so we had no choice. You can do an A- job through 3.5 years, but if a 12 month period is a failure, we're moving on. Again, high expectations here at Marquette."
Scherz, trying to figure out if he should fall out of his chair laughing or look around to find Ashton Kutcher running out of a hiding spot, certain he is on "Punked."
MU should not fire Shaka, but...
MU maybe going through a coaching search this spring.
Quote from: WhiteTrash on December 18, 2025, 10:49:28 AMMU should not fire Shaka, but...
MU maybe going through a coaching search this spring.
Is it bad I wish Scholl stayed on 2 years longer or we went outside?
Quote from: wadesworld on December 18, 2025, 10:44:33 AMNobody is defending "this BS." What I'm defending is Shaka having 4 years of being an awesome coach at Marquette and firing him because he failed in year 5, which he obviously did. The idea that he shouldn't get a chance to correct this is crazy, and the idea that he needs to "prove he deserves to be back" as our coach on a rolling 12 month basis is the most insane take Scoop has ever produced.
I can just imagine the coaching search if Shaka is fired.
Josh Schertz sitting in Broeker's office, deciding whether he might want to jump to Marquette, interview with Arizona State, or stay at SLU for another year: "So, Mike, you went a decade with no NCAA Tournament wins, Shaka came in and won a BE regular season and Tournament title, got the two highest seeds in your program's history, made a Sweet 16, and you fired him after his first missed Tournament. Is that the kind of leash I would get if I'm taking this job?"
Broeker: "Well, Josh, I didn't hire Shaka, and we look at a 7 seed as a down year here at Marquette."
Scherz: "But you worked as closely with Shaka as anyone in the athletic department for his first 4 years, traveling with the team, etc. Again, will I get fired after I miss the Tournament?"
Broeker: "Oh, Josh, we don't look at it season by season. We look at it on a rolling 12 month basis. Shaka may have got a 7 seed in 2025, but January 2025-January 2026 he was garbage so we had no choice. You can do an A- job through 3.5 years, but if a 12 month period is a failure, we're moving on. Again, high expectations here at Marquette."
Scherz, trying to figure out if he should fall out of his chair laughing or look around to find Ashton Kutcher running out of a hiding spot, certain he is on "Punked."
I think it's exceptionally unlikely Marquette fires Shaka after this season. But if it somehow does happen, it won't be because he missed one tournament. It would be because at the end of the year he stubbornly insists he won't change anything about a roster-building and coaching philosophy that brought sharply diminished returns over the previous 15 months. If Shaka walks into Mike Broeker's office for their end-of-year postmortem in (unfortunately) mid-March and says "I'm not changing a thing," then that's a fireable offense.
If Shaka outlines a plan to make needed changes aimed at engineering a turnaround, he definitely gets another year.
Quote from: Pakuni on December 18, 2025, 11:17:55 AMI think it's exceptionally unlikely Marquette fires Shaka after this season. But if it somehow does happen, it won't be because he missed one tournament. It would be because at the end of the year he stubbornly insists he won't change anything about a roster-building and coaching philosophy that brought sharply diminished returns over the previous 15 months. If Shaka walks into Mike Broeker's office for their end-of-year postmortem in (unfortunately) mid-March and says "I'm not changing a thing," then that's a fireable offense.
If Shaka outlines a plan to make needed changes aimed at engineering a turnaround, he definitely gets another year.
Yep, this is where I am at. This is still big time basketball.
Quote from: Pakuni on December 18, 2025, 11:17:55 AMI think it's exceptionally unlikely Marquette fires Shaka after this season. But if it somehow does happen, it won't be because he missed one tournament. It would be because at the end of the year he stubbornly insists he won't change anything about a roster-building and coaching philosophy that brought sharply diminished returns over the previous 15 months. If Shaka walks into Mike Broeker's office for their end-of-year postmortem in (unfortunately) mid-March and says "I'm not changing a thing," then that's a fireable offense.
If Shaka outlines a plan to make needed changes aimed at engineering a turnaround, he definitely gets another year.
Agree 100%. I think most, if not all of us want Shaka to succeed. But if he refuses to make wholesale changes to this roster going into next season, what is the point of keeping him on? Have a mediocre season, miss the tournament again and then fire him?
Wades, I agree that firing him after this year is not reasonable after what he has done the first four years.
What is really awkward for all parties involved (Shaka, BOT, AD, Boosters, fans) is that this is no ordinary down year. Marquette is trending toward Chicago St bad. That on top of the head first dive into the deep end on RGV and no portal use is making it cringingly awkward.
The best of all worlds is a course correction at the end of the year. Hard conversations with the current juniors need to take place. The freshman and sophomores can be a part of the answer. The two redshirts who are not projects similar to Caedin and Clark should also be a part of the answer. Next years freshman hopefully will be too. Add three portal players and MU is trending upward again in a HURRY. Next year at this time we may all be laughing at this.
Ultimately, it will be Shaka's decision to have these hard conversations with the juniors and all the parents on this team. I guarantee the parents of the players who are staying will be on board. Their sons signed up for a perennial top 25 team not Chicago St. There may be some backlash by the parents of the juniors. But that's life and it will be swept under the rug.
Here's hoping Shaka makes the right decision. He is a great ambassador for MU and I hope he is here for a long time.
Quote from: cheebs09 on December 18, 2025, 10:53:29 AMIs it bad I wish Scholl stayed on 2 years longer or we went outside?
What is the general sentiment on Broeker nowadays? If we're looking for a new coach in the Spring, is he the guy we want leading that situation? I've been puzzled at some of the non conference scheduling decisions the past 2 years, the various ticket fiascos, etc. Just kind of seems like he may be way in over his head, but really just asking what others think of him.
Quote from: Shooter McGavin on December 18, 2025, 11:29:26 AMWhat is really awkward for all parties involved (Shaka, BOT, AD, Boosters, fans) is that this is no ordinary down year. Marquette is trending toward Chicago St bad.
THIS!
It isn't that we're having a down year. If we pull out the Dayton, Oklahoma, and Maryland games, we're sitting at 8-4 and probably a similar spot in analytics, but you can at least sugar coat that "hey, maybe we have a chance if we get hot in the league."
This season was over in November. This is looking like a worse season than what got Wojo or Deane fired. This looks like it could rival Dukiet's lowest point. We are going to have 3 more months of this negativity festering. Wojo and Deane at least had some life into January.
If we were just routine bad, 70-90 in kenpom, faint hope at turning things around but at least having a Crown/NIT bid on the horizon with a promising young crop of players who don't quite get it yet, it would be different. Instead, we are the worst team in the league and losing our two best players next year with a full roster and no scholarship flexibility.
Maybe I was spoiled by being at Marquette in 2003, by seeing the heights of Crean and Buzz, and even by Shaka's own performance from 2022-25. The reality is as much as the year that got Wojo fired was unacceptable by Marquette standards, this is exponentially worse.
Shaka is the captain of this ship. When the captain is ignoring everyone telling him about the iceberg, instead steering directly into it with no attempt to course-correct and the boat sinks, you're not going to be a captain after the rescue crews pick you up no matter how well you did before you rammed into an iceberg.
If you had told me before the season I'd be at this point before the New Year, I wouldn't have believed it, but when you have a historically bad season then unprecedented actions regarding leadership are far more justifiable.
I don't think the last season alone got Wojo fired. There was a body of work there that showed things probably weren't going to improve too much and he pushed back on the administration's request to update the staff.
I could get on board with parting ways with Shaka if at the end of the year he says, I'm not going in the portal and will run this same team back next year.
Quote from: wadesworld on December 18, 2025, 10:44:33 AMNobody is defending "this BS." What I'm defending is Shaka having 4 years of being an awesome coach at Marquette and firing him because he failed in year 5, which he obviously did. The idea that he shouldn't get a chance to correct this is crazy, and the idea that he needs to "prove he deserves to be back" as our coach on a rolling 12 month basis is the most insane take Scoop has ever produced.
I can just imagine the coaching search if Shaka is fired.
Josh Schertz sitting in Broeker's office, deciding whether he might want to jump to Marquette, interview with Arizona State, or stay at SLU for another year: "So, Mike, you went a decade with no NCAA Tournament wins, Shaka came in and won a BE regular season and Tournament title, got the two highest seeds in your program's history, made a Sweet 16, and you fired him after his first missed Tournament. Is that the kind of leash I would get if I'm taking this job?"
Broeker: "Well, Josh, I didn't hire Shaka, and we look at a 7 seed as a down year here at Marquette."
Scherz: "But you worked as closely with Shaka as anyone in the athletic department for his first 4 years, traveling with the team, etc. Again, will I get fired after I miss the Tournament?"
Broeker: "Oh, Josh, we don't look at it season by season. We look at it on a rolling 12 month basis. Shaka may have got a 7 seed in 2025, but January 2025-January 2026 he was garbage so we had no choice. You can do an A- job through 3.5 years, but if a 12 month period is a failure, we're moving on. Again, high expectations here at Marquette."
Scherz, trying to figure out if he should fall out of his chair laughing or look around to find Ashton Kutcher running out of a hiding spot, certain he is on "Punked."
Well done, and right on target. The angst and dart throwing toward Shaka by some Scoopers is embarrassing, and ignorant AF.
Quote from: brewcity77 on December 18, 2025, 12:00:21 PMTHIS!
It isn't that we're having a down year. If we pull out the Dayton, Oklahoma, and Maryland games, we're sitting at 8-4 and probably a similar spot in analytics, but you can at least sugar coat that "hey, maybe we have a chance if we get hot in the league."
This season was over in November. This is looking like a worse season than what got Wojo or Deane fired. This looks like it could rival Dukiet's lowest point. We are going to have 3 more months of this negativity festering. Wojo and Deane at least had some life into January.
If we were just routine bad, 70-90 in kenpom, faint hope at turning things around but at least having a Crown/NIT bid on the horizon with a promising young crop of players who don't quite get it yet, it would be different. Instead, we are the worst team in the league and losing our two best players next year with a full roster and no scholarship flexibility.
Maybe I was spoiled by being at Marquette in 2003, by seeing the heights of Crean and Buzz, and even by Shaka's own performance from 2022-25. The reality is as much as the year that got Wojo fired was unacceptable by Marquette standards, this is exponentially worse.
Shaka is the captain of this ship. When the captain is ignoring everyone telling him about the iceberg, instead steering directly into it with no attempt to course-correct and the boat sinks, you're not going to be a captain after the rescue crews pick you up no matter how well you did before you rammed into an iceberg.
If you had told me before the season I'd be at this point before the New Year, I wouldn't have believed it, but when you have a historically bad season then unprecedented actions regarding leadership are far more justifiable.
I've been saying this over and over again. Down years happen, this is an abomination. Completely by Shaka's own doing. This isn't year 1 with a roster overhaul. This is what he has been working towards! It is beyond reprehensible and if things continue to get worse, the boos will get louder and we will reach a point, like Wojo, where it is an untenable situation from a negative fan perspective.
Quote from: GB Warrior on December 18, 2025, 08:52:31 AMGottlieb announced he's finally focused on basketball, maybe we should get him
Never. He played for a while at No Dick. No No Dick connections to MU. That is blasphemy.
Quote from: brewcity77 on December 18, 2025, 12:00:21 PMTHIS!
It isn't that we're having a down year. If we pull out the Dayton, Oklahoma, and Maryland games, we're sitting at 8-4 and probably a similar spot in analytics, but you can at least sugar coat that "hey, maybe we have a chance if we get hot in the league."
This season was over in November. This is looking like a worse season than what got Wojo or Deane fired. This looks like it could rival Dukiet's lowest point. We are going to have 3 more months of this negativity festering. Wojo and Deane at least had some life into January.
If we were just routine bad, 70-90 in kenpom, faint hope at turning things around but at least having a Crown/NIT bid on the horizon with a promising young crop of players who don't quite get it yet, it would be different. Instead, we are the worst team in the league and losing our two best players next year with a full roster and no scholarship flexibility.
Maybe I was spoiled by being at Marquette in 2003, by seeing the heights of Crean and Buzz, and even by Shaka's own performance from 2022-25. The reality is as much as the year that got Wojo fired was unacceptable by Marquette standards, this is exponentially worse.
Shaka is the captain of this ship. When the captain is ignoring everyone telling him about the iceberg, instead steering directly into it with no attempt to course-correct and the boat sinks, you're not going to be a captain after the rescue crews pick you up no matter how well you did before you rammed into an iceberg.
If you had told me before the season I'd be at this point before the New Year, I wouldn't have believed it, but when you have a historically bad season then unprecedented actions regarding leadership are far more justifiable.
This is a tad reactionary. You believed as did Shaka that they were going to be good this year. I know it sucks, and I agree it's a really bad year that ended in November. But what should he do right this moment to fix it? Start running players off? Mix up lineups? Go with the stats? Nothing is working.
He is stuck with these guys until March. If he can't fix it in the off season then I'm (sadly) understanding if the school moves on.
Quote from: brewcity77 on December 18, 2025, 12:00:21 PMTHIS!
It isn't that we're having a down year. If we pull out the Dayton, Oklahoma, and Maryland games, we're sitting at 8-4 and probably a similar spot in analytics, but you can at least sugar coat that "hey, maybe we have a chance if we get hot in the league."
This season was over in November. This is looking like a worse season than what got Wojo or Deane fired. This looks like it could rival Dukiet's lowest point. We are going to have 3 more months of this negativity festering. Wojo and Deane at least had some life into January.
If we were just routine bad, 70-90 in kenpom, faint hope at turning things around but at least having a Crown/NIT bid on the horizon with a promising young crop of players who don't quite get it yet, it would be different. Instead, we are the worst team in the league and losing our two best players next year with a full roster and no scholarship flexibility.
Maybe I was spoiled by being at Marquette in 2003, by seeing the heights of Crean and Buzz, and even by Shaka's own performance from 2022-25. The reality is as much as the year that got Wojo fired was unacceptable by Marquette standards, this is exponentially worse.
Shaka is the captain of this ship. When the captain is ignoring everyone telling him about the iceberg, instead steering directly into it with no attempt to course-correct and the boat sinks, you're not going to be a captain after the rescue crews pick you up no matter how well you did before you rammed into an iceberg.
If you had told me before the season I'd be at this point before the New Year, I wouldn't have believed it, but when you have a historically bad season then unprecedented actions regarding leadership are far more justifiable.
Wojo wasn't fired because of his last season. It may have been the impetus that lead to change but it was his entire mediocre tenure that significantly contributed the angst around him and his ultimate dismissal.
Yes, this is an absolute embarrassment of a season. But there's a lot of extreme tunnel vision here, too.
Quote from: Vander Blue Man Group on December 18, 2025, 01:21:12 PMWojo wasn't fired because of his last season. It may have been the impetus that lead to change but it was his entire mediocre tenure that significantly contributed the angst around him and his ultimate dismissal.
Yes, this is an absolute embarrassment of a season. But there's a lot of extreme tunnel vision here, too.
*Abomination of a season
*Wojo level collapse last season
Quote from: panda on December 18, 2025, 01:22:50 PM*Abomination of a season
*Wojo level collapse last season
Try again but with an actual response.
Wojo was fired because he refused to change himself or staff.
;)
Quote from: Hards Alumni on December 18, 2025, 01:29:38 PMWojo was fired because he refused to change himself or staff.
;)
Yep. Didn't feel like he needed to change anything and was told he needed to replace Jake Presutti (IIRC) to keep his job. Wouldn't agree to it. Rest is history.
Quote from: Vander Blue Man Group on December 18, 2025, 01:21:12 PMWojo wasn't fired because of his last season.
Not solely, but that year did get him fired in conjunction with what came before. The point in what you quoted is that this year is exponentially worse than the year that did get him fired. 2021 was a much better & more successful team than this one has been.
Quote from: panda on December 18, 2025, 01:22:50 PM*Abomination of a season
*Wojo level collapse last season
I'm sick of this back and forth so let me explain why you and VBMG keep having this pissing match. It's about level of granularity.
A CEO may say at the end of the year "we had a good year, we hit the baseline benchmark of xyz this year" but in reality it might be skewed by an over performance in q1. The CEO isn't wrong, the year hit the benchmark, they're just ignoring why.
So when you say we had a bad season, you're ignoring that he hit benchmark standards which is what VBMG is saying. When, he says we had a good year, he's ignoring that it was skewed by over performing early on. You both need to speak the same language Month over month performance, ytd, season over season etc or else both of you will keep passive aggressively correcting each other.
Quote from: Elonsmusk on December 18, 2025, 12:11:39 PMWell done, and right on target. The angst and dart throwing toward Shaka by some Scoopers is embarrassing, and ignorant AF.
Well Shaka's approach to this year's team is embarrassing and ignorant AF too.
Quote from: cheebs09 on December 18, 2025, 12:04:13 PMI don't think the last season alone got Wojo fired. There was a body of work there that showed things probably weren't going to improve too much and he pushed back on the administration's request to update the staff.
I could get on board with parting ways with Shaka if at the end of the year he says, I'm not going in the portal and will run this same team back next year.
After the collapse and the Hausers exit, Wojo essentially sealed his fate in that the next down season was going to be his last, and it was. If Shaka makes significant changes and makes the tourney next year, he won't be in that position. But if he doesn't he will be, just like at Texas. Hope he's learned his lesson.
Quote from: cheebs09 on December 18, 2025, 12:04:13 PMI don't think the last season alone got Wojo fired. There was a body of work there that showed things probably weren't going to improve too much and he pushed back on the administration's request to update the staff.
I could get on board with parting ways with Shaka if at the end of the year he says, I'm not going in the portal and will run this same team back next year.
Correct. The idea that because Shaka is having a worse season than the one that got Wojo fired means Shaka should be fired is just showing you don't know how this works. There's WAY more context to look at than "What was the season before Wojo got fired like compared to this year?"
I think it makes total sense to be upset at this season's results.
I think it makes no sense to fire shaka solely based on this horrible season.
Give the guy time to fix his mistake. If he's unable or unwilling, then firing makes total sense.
Quote from: wadesworld on December 18, 2025, 02:50:41 PMCorrect. The idea that because Shaka is having a worse season than the one that got Wojo fired means Shaka should be fired is just showing you don't know how this works. There's WAY more context to look at than "What was the season before Wojo got fired like compared to this year?"
I'll take "Things No One Said" for $200, Ken.
We have all made mistakes and let people down.
Feel Shaka has let down the fans the school and the city this year. But he has won many games and made many Big Dances and Advanced many times in the Big Dance. Not certain but feel Shaka will get it fixed and Win again.
Quote from: brewcity77 on December 18, 2025, 08:29:08 PMI'll take "Things No One Said" for $200, Ken.
Then you should probably write more clearly, considering multiple other posters said similar things in response to you.
Quote from: Pakuni on December 18, 2025, 11:17:55 AMI think it's exceptionally unlikely Marquette fires Shaka after this season. But if it somehow does happen, it won't be because he missed one tournament. It would be because at the end of the year he stubbornly insists he won't change anything about a roster-building and coaching philosophy that brought sharply diminished returns over the previous 15 months. If Shaka walks into Mike Broeker's office for their end-of-year postmortem in (unfortunately) mid-March and says "I'm not changing a thing," then that's a fireable offense.
If Shaka outlines a plan to make needed changes aimed at engineering a turnaround, he definitely gets another year.
This. Obviously.
Quote from: Shooter McGavin on December 18, 2025, 11:29:26 AMWhat is really awkward for all parties involved (Shaka, BOT, AD, Boosters, fans) is that this is no ordinary down year. Marquette is trending toward Chicago St bad.
Shaka Year 2 Texas.
A few of us who were a little skeptical during the hiring process pointed out that Scoop would go absolutely insane if Shaka ever went 11-22 at Marquette.
Quote from: Vander Blue Man Group on December 17, 2025, 10:32:29 PMCome on, you're being absolutely ridiculous.
I agree he, the staff, and the team have been absolutely horrendous. And his plan moving forward should be part of the equation.
But you ignoring the first 4 years of his tenure is inexplicable and illogical.
Well if he were your stock advisor and your portfolio was through the roof over the last 4 years, but now in 2 months it is in the dumpster would you feel the same?
Quote from: muwarrior69 on December 19, 2025, 03:38:45 PMWell if he were your stock advisor and your portfolio was through the roof over the last 4 years, but now in 2 months it is in the dumpster would you feel the same?
Considering the stock market is a long-term play where you expect some significant fluctuations, the answer is yes.
I don't think that's a great comparison, though.
It all comes down to what Shaka does to fix this. I'd hope, after some introspection, he'd pivot to the Painter/Purdue model.
RGV can still be a keystone of the program but he needs to leave himself some flexibility because, ultimately, the "V" is the most important part.
Will he make that adjustment? I honestly don't know.
Quote from: Vander Blue Man Group on December 19, 2025, 06:37:45 PMConsidering the stock market is a long-term play where you expect some significant fluctuations, the answer is yes.
I don't think that's a great comparison, though.
It all comes down to what Shaka does to fix this. I'd hope, after some introspection, he'd pivot to the Painter/Purdue model.
RGV can still be a keystone of the program but he needs to leave himself some flexibility because, ultimately, the "V" is the most important part.
Will he make that adjustment? I honestly don't know.
I remember 2008 quite well. A lot of folks were not happy with the advice they were getting. I admire your loyalty to your financial advisor even if you were, metaphorically speaking, losing your shirt in the hope that things will get better. I don't think the analogy is that far off. Many here have an emotional investment in the men's basketball program and the currency of that investment is performance on the court and that performance has hit bottom if not rock bottom for may here. The investments made in 2023 and 2024 are not panning out and some have doubt the investments made in 2025 and 2026 will pan out as well.
The Purdue advisors are picking winning stock. Right now some here are questioning if the MU advisors know what winning stock looks like and will spend the resources to get it.
Quote from: Vander Blue Man Group on December 19, 2025, 06:37:45 PMConsidering the stock market is a long-term play where you expect some significant fluctuations, the answer is yes.
I don't think that's a great comparison, though.
It all comes down to what Shaka does to fix this. I'd hope, after some introspection, he'd pivot to the Painter/Purdue model.
RGV can still be a keystone of the program but he needs to leave himself some flexibility because, ultimately, the "V" is the most important part.
Will he make that adjustment? I honestly don't know.
I do not know if he will make that adjustment either. Shaka has won very often in the past and from that stand point feel Shaka will make that adjustment. But since this season's loss of the Big Dance is very self inflicted some of many examples being Hamilton and No Transfers I am not sure. Ugh again.
It's not that this season is historically awful. It's that there is zero reason to believe that anything will be better in 2026-27. If Shaka cuts 1/3 of the roster after the season, that would change this feeling. However, he's dogmatic in his approach to "RGV".
Warrior - I agree. I think when the season ends w / 20 ish losses, from the worst team since KO resurrected the program I think SS will only dig in his heels even more. And I think the
" leadership " at MU will allow it ...
I hope I'm wrong. but it seems nothing in his make up would allow any admission that he F'd up big time.
Quote from: jesmu84 on December 18, 2025, 08:13:25 PMI think it makes total sense to be upset at this season's results.
I think it makes no sense to fire shaka solely based on this horrible season.
Give the guy time to fix his mistake. If he's unable or unwilling, then firing makes total sense.
last season, January on, MU was loosing altitude quickly. Engine trouble. We landed safely, but the engines weren't checked out. This season we are stalled on the tarmac. Might as well cancel the flight. If Air Marquette isn't hangared with an engine overhaul, this crate ain't gettin' off the ground. Pilot-in-Command is responsible. The current POC will have until March '27 to get things air worthy. If still grounded, he should hopefully have the integrity to resign. Agree to a settlement and walk. Turn in his wings. Or, completely overhaul the engines starting around April 1st so a safe departure can commence on Oct 15 or thereabouts. Either way, it will be interesting to see how this trip plays out.
Would Shaka rather build relationships than a basketball team lol
If we're still going by exclusively on the court results..
Nothing.
Quote from: Viper on December 20, 2025, 08:18:44 AMlast season, January on, MU was loosing altitude quickly. Engine trouble. We landed safely, but the engines weren't checked out. This season we are stalled on the tarmac. Might as well cancel the flight. If Air Marquette isn't hangared with an engine overhaul, this crate ain't gettin' off the ground. Pilot-in-Command is responsible. The current POC will have until March '27 to get things air worthy. If still grounded, he should hopefully have the integrity to resign. Agree to a settlement and walk. Turn in his wings. Or, completely overhaul the engines starting around April 1st so a safe departure can commence on Oct 15 or thereabouts. Either way, it will be interesting to see how this trip plays out.
We're not stalled on the tarmac - the engines exploded on the ground and we're burning down the hangar.
Quote from: MarquetteMike1977 on December 20, 2025, 01:46:00 PMWould Shaka rather build relationships than a basketball team lol
I dontsee this team hanging together for another year if we finish with 20 losses
some will want to leave this particularly ifthey arent getting playing time
Quote from: WellsstreetWanderer on December 21, 2025, 06:11:16 PMI dontsee this team hanging together for another year if we finish with 20 losses
some will want to leave this particularly ifthey arent getting playing time
Good pay PLUS winning has to be part of the equation for theses players, right?
I don't see Shaka being fired this year unless there is some type of issue that has nothing to do with Won-loss record.
But, while I don't necessarily think it will come this year, I wouldn't be surprised if Shaka's tenure at MU ends because he decides that at this stage of his life and career, he isn't interested in taking part in what high major college basketball has become.
He might decide he is better suited for a coaching job at something like an Ivy League school where the issues of NIL and transferring are lower priorities.
Tommy Amaker has made a good career and life for himself at Harvard after unsuccessful stints at Michigan and Seton Hall. I could see Shaka following a similar path after having his taste of the big time.
Quote from: wisblue on December 22, 2025, 01:27:30 PMI wouldn't be surprised if Shaka's tenure at MU ends because he decides that at this stage of his life and career, he isn't interested in taking part in what high major college basketball has become.
I haven't kept track of who has been saying what, but I feel like I've seen a few people with this opinion. I for one, have a hard time imaging Shaka just stepping away. He could have "pulled a Wojo" when leaving Texas, but didn't.
Quote from: rocky_warrior on December 22, 2025, 01:36:03 PMI haven't kept track of who has been saying what, but I feel like I've seen a few people with this opinion. I for one, have a hard time imaging Shaka just stepping away. He could have "pulled a Wojo" when leaving Texas, but didn't.
a few weeks ago I would have agreed with you. Since the Purdue game I'm leaning that Shaka departs at year end. College kids w/agents, wild west portal, doesn't seem like his cup of tea. And, he's seems exasperated trying to figure out a lineup. Maybe Shaka feels this year was gonna happen, and things will shake out just fine next year. But, that seems very improbable, obviously, right now.
Quote from: rocky_warrior on December 22, 2025, 01:36:03 PMI haven't kept track of who has been saying what, but I feel like I've seen a few people with this opinion. I for one, have a hard time imaging Shaka just stepping away. He could have "pulled a Wojo" when leaving Texas, but didn't.
The circumstances are quite a bit different now than when Shaka was ready to leave Texas (and they were more than ready to have him leave). The NIL/portal situation is much different now, even more wild-wild-westish than many thought it would be. Shaka also had a job from a good basketball school to step right into; nobody was beating down the door for Wojo.
That said, none of us knows what's going on in Shaka's head. He obviously has to make a decision at season's end, and he has three choices as I see it:
1. Keep on keepin' on, no matter what anybody says, to see if recruit-retain-develop sans portal can work.
2. Alter his philosophy, finding a way to tell kids and their parents he's still all about RGV even as he recruits over a couple/few players by adding transfers. This could involve convincing some current players to go elsewhere, or maybe he'll be lucky and some of our less-accomplished players will decide to leave on their own.
3. Sail off into the sunset, either going to a conference that doesn't emphasize NIL/portal, or taking time off to be a TV analyst or whatever.
Quote from: MU82 on December 22, 2025, 05:19:50 PMThat said, none of us knows what's going on in Shaka's head. He obviously has to make a decision at season's end, and he has three choices as I see it:
1. Keep on keepin' on, no matter what anybody says, to see if recruit-retain-develop sans portal can work.
2. Alter his philosophy, finding a way to tell kids and their parents he's still all about RGV even as he recruits over a couple/few players by adding transfers. This could involve convincing some current players to go elsewhere, or maybe he'll be lucky and some of our less-accomplished players will decide to leave on their own.
3. Sail off into the sunset, either going to a conference that doesn't emphasize NIL/portal, or taking time off to be a TV analyst or whatever.
What's the best option here and what should a good fan be hoping for? I hope that someday Shaka speaks more candidly about why things fell short this year. Right now it's a bit hard to support Shaka when it's just canned RGV slop time after time. I don't think that is resonating well with anyone and I think it's the primary reason that support has seemingly fallen off a cliff.
You really need to listen to his press conferences and media availabilties. In his own way, he says exactly what has gone wrong this season. Gentler, more diplomatic than here, and always with an eye toward working and getting better. But if you pay attention, he says it.
He called out his stars more in season's past, and I think he is still trying to shield these players somewhat because he gets the frustration and anger, but he says where the individual players and team need to do better.
Wow. Tough fanbase. Be careful what you wish for.
I am in the no effing way he is not coming back camp.
Agree 79. Hope he comes back. Think this sorts itself out in the offseason.
Hopefully Shaka doesn't take offense to decreased attendance which will inevitably occur. He always said the team has to give the fans energy not the other way around. When there are 5,000-7,000 people in the stadium come March he'll just have to understand that's on him. Hopefully it motivates him rather than sours him on Marquette. He has to know this level of incompetence would not be rewarded by even the most loyal of fan bases.
Quote from: Shooter McGavin on December 22, 2025, 08:34:15 PMAgree 79. Hope he comes back. Think this sorts itself out in the offseason.
Hopefully Shaka doesn't take offense to decreased attendance which will inevitably occur. He always said the team has to give the fans energy not the other way around. When there are 5,000-7,000 people in the stadium come March he'll just have to understand that's on him. Hopefully it motivates him rather than sours him on Marquette. He has to know this level of incompetence would not be rewarded by even the most loyal of fan bases.
He has to sort it out.
Quote from: 79Warrior on December 22, 2025, 08:01:25 PMWow. Tough fanbase. Be careful what you wish for.
I am in the no effing way he is not coming back camp.
I think there is a very real possibility MU doesn't have a say in him coming back.
Personally, I'd welcome him back. I think MU feels the same.
Quote from: WhiteTrash on December 22, 2025, 09:14:47 PMI think there is a very real possibility MU doesn't have a say in him coming back.
Personally, I'd welcome him back. I think MU feels the same.
Where's he going?
Quote from: Pakuni on December 22, 2025, 09:52:23 PMWhere's he going?
He could choose option 3 that I listed in my previous post. I don't think he will, but he could.
Quote from: MU82 on December 22, 2025, 09:56:30 PMHe could choose option 3 that I listed in my previous post. I don't think he will, but he could.
Don't see him as the "things didn't go my way for a year so I quit" kind of guy. It's not like he's a Domer.
Walk away from millions of dollars at age 48 to spend five months a year either in a studio in Bristol or on the road in Manhattan, Kansas and Blacksburg, Virginia would certainly be a choice. I'm sure Mrs. Smart would love it.
Quote from: Pakuni on December 22, 2025, 10:05:40 PMDon't see him as the "things didn't go my way for a year so I quit" kind of guy. It's not like he's a Domer.
Walk away from millions of dollars at age 48 to spend five months a year either in a studio in Bristol or on the road in Manhattan, Kansas and Blacksburg, Virginia would certainly be a choice. I'm sure Mrs. Smart would love it.
Why would Shaka want to stay at a program with a fanbase that has gotten out the pitchforks in just 2 months, after doing an amazing job the 4 years prior? I suppose there could be some satisfaction in staying to shut the idiots up, and then bolt after his next successful season.
Lot of character revealed about our fanbase this season - and that character has been when the going gets tough, we turn our back on our head coach. So, from my perspective he's entitled to do the same thing and bolt MU....and if he does, good luck MU.
Quote from: CountryRoads on December 22, 2025, 07:56:06 PMRight now it's a bit hard to support Shaka when it's just canned RGV slop time after time. I don't think that is resonating well with anyone and I think it's the primary reason that support has seemingly fallen off a cliff.
This is ludicrous. Or at least should be.
Quote from: Elonsmusk on December 22, 2025, 10:49:59 PMWhy would Shaka want to stay at a program with a fanbase that has gotten out the pitchforks in just 2 months, after doing an amazing job the 4 years prior? I suppose there could be some satisfaction in staying to shut the idiots up, and then bolt after his next successful season.
Lot of character revealed about our fanbase this season - and that character has been when the going gets tough, we turn our back on our head coach. So, from my perspective he's entitled to do the same thing and bolt MU....and if he does, good luck MU.
If Shaka packs it up because of dipsh*t fans that would say as much about him as those fans.
I'd be absolutely shocked if he walks away.
Quote from: Elonsmusk on December 22, 2025, 10:49:59 PMWhy would Shaka want to stay at a program with a fanbase that has gotten out the pitchforks in just 2 months, after doing an amazing job the 4 years prior? I suppose there could be some satisfaction in staying to shut the idiots up, and then bolt after his next successful season.
Lot of character revealed about our fanbase this season - and that character has been when the going gets tough, we turn our back on our head coach. So, from my perspective he's entitled to do the same thing and bolt MU....and if he does, good luck MU.
Is this real? Holy fanboy.
My guy, criticism comes with the job. Shaka is enough of a grown ass man to understand that. And when a program is on pace to produce its worst season in nearly 40 years, the coach is going to face heat for that. Shaka also understands that. He's not curling up in bed at night crying about message boards.
There's not one program of Marquette's stature in the country where the coach wouldn't be getting criticized for a season like this. Not one.
Character revealed? Good Lord. Sports fandom is not a test of one's character. It's entertainment. You're not tough and brave for enduring sh*tty basketball.
If Shaka were to rage quit because his feels got hurt by fans not politely applauding a historically bad season, I have little doubt Marquette basketball will have a brighter future than he does.
Quote from: Elonsmusk on December 22, 2025, 10:49:59 PMWhy would Shaka want to stay at a program with a fanbase that has gotten out the pitchforks in just 2 months, after doing an amazing job the 4 years prior? I suppose there could be some satisfaction in staying to shut the idiots up, and then bolt after his next successful season.
Lot of character revealed about our fanbase this season - and that character has been when the going gets tough, we turn our back on our head coach. So, from my perspective he's entitled to do the same thing and bolt MU....and if he does, good luck MU.
Shaka deserves the opportunity to come back and turn things around. The problem is this isn't just one bad season, we're nowhere near competing for a tournament birth. If we come back with our returning players and recruits, and don't add some proven players, it's very difficult to believe we will be back in the fold of tier 1 teams.
The rules in college basketball have changed and Shaka and Marquette have decided they don't like the change and they will continue to do things the old way.
The best comparison I can make is when the NCAA introduced the 3-point shot, and you have a coach who decides his team won't use it.
Why is Marquette giving Every D-1 in the country an advantage over them.
The reality is if we don't use the portal we will never be competitive in the Big East.
Marquette's Holier than thou attitude Must end.
More interest now on what happens in the off season and 26-27 season.
Quote from: Pakuni on December 22, 2025, 11:23:22 PMIs this real? Holy fanboy.
My guy, criticism comes with the job. Shaka is enough of a grown ass man to understand that. And when a program is on pace to produce its worst season in nearly 40 years, the coach is going to face heat for that. Shaka also understands that. He's not curling up in bed at night crying about message boards.
There's not one program of Marquette's stature in the country where the coach wouldn't be getting criticized for a season like this. Not one.
Character revealed? Good Lord. Sports fandom is not a test of one's character. It's entertainment. You're not tough and brave for enduring sh*tty basketball.
If Shaka were to rage quit because his feels got hurt by fans not politely applauding a historically bad season, I have little doubt Marquette basketball will have a brighter future than he does.
Vander and Elon room together in that studio apartment in the Shaka Highlands neighborhood of Shakaville.
Quote from: WhiteTrash on December 22, 2025, 09:14:47 PMI think there is a very real possibility MU doesn't have a say in him coming back.
Personally, I'd welcome him back. I think MU feels the same.
Unless he's picking early retirement, Marquette will have a say. Though dropping the buyout to zero would be a say Marquette could have that wouldn't surprise me.
Quote from: brewcity77 on December 23, 2025, 08:08:09 AMUnless he's picking early retirement, Marquette will have a say. Though dropping the buyout to zero would be a say Marquette could have that wouldn't surprise me.
Could they do that, if they had a prenup?
Quote from: brewcity77 on December 23, 2025, 08:08:09 AMUnless he's picking early retirement, Marquette will have a say. Though dropping the buyout to zero would be a say Marquette could have that wouldn't surprise me.
That's the route I'm expecting, assuming this season continues going in the same direction. Shaka can go get another job for free, Marquette saves on paying a potential buyout after next year. Win/win for both parties.
As someone who is still a big fan of Shaka as a person, I'd love to see some more positives out of the young guys the remainder of the year and for Shaka to flip the upperclassmen on the roster through the portal after this season. It's just hard to see that happening at the moment.
Quote from: Viper on December 23, 2025, 08:07:49 AMVander and Elon room together in that studio apartment in the Shaka Highlands neighborhood of Shakaville.
I see you're raising your level of stupidity for Festivus. Well done, Biff!
Quote from: brewcity77 on December 23, 2025, 08:08:09 AMUnless he's picking early retirement, Marquette will have a say. Though dropping the buyout to zero would be a say Marquette could have that wouldn't surprise me.
First, I have zero inside knowledge. I'm just a fan.
I can't think of another reason for such a shocking decline in the performance of Shaka and the team other than some off the court issue that has derailed this season. If we were looking at a .500 team, I'd come to the conclusion that Shaka's experiment simply failed. Not fun, but move on. But this season is, justifiably, being discussed as one of MU's worst ever and there are no injury issues.
I can't believe Shaka has simply lost all his sense of coaching and talent evaluation, unless there is something going on the we don't know about.
IDK, maybe I'm guilty of being too much of a Shaka fan and can't accept his significant flaws.
Paint touches had an article last year with Kams on off splits. This year was actually really predictable if we had all paid attention.
We all bought in to Shaka being able create High major NCAA talent out of mid to low major talent over one summer. But there was no indication last year that this team could win without Kam, let alone Stevie and Jop. I believe we were ranked in the 125 range with the on off splits. It's bearing out.
Maybe someone on paint touches can post the article again.
Quote from: Pakuni on December 22, 2025, 11:23:22 PMIs this real? Holy fanboy.
My guy, criticism comes with the job. Shaka is enough of a grown ass man to understand that. And when a program is on pace to produce its worst season in nearly 40 years, the coach is going to face heat for that. Shaka also understands that. He's not curling up in bed at night crying about message boards.
There's not one program of Marquette's stature in the country where the coach wouldn't be getting criticized for a season like this. Not one.
Character revealed? Good Lord. Sports fandom is not a test of one's character. It's entertainment. You're not tough and brave for enduring sh*tty basketball.
If Shaka were to rage quit because his feels got hurt by fans not politely applauding a historically bad season, I have little doubt Marquette basketball will have a brighter future than he does.
You and Brew don't understand leverage. MU needs Shaka far more than Shaka needs MU. Many Scoopers overestimate where MU sits in the college basketball hierarchy in this day and age. Past program history - that dating back further than 5 years doesn't mean much of anything in this new era.
Not being at a Power 4 school is a big disadvantage. Shaka could leave MU after the season, make more money at a Power 4 school, have a bigger budget for NIL, and certainly wouldn't have any worse kind of douchebag fanbase than what you and the growing number of MU fans are proving to be.
And PS - No crap Shaka is a "grown ass man." A grown ass man who is talented, with the kind of options Shaka would have if MU eliminated his buyout - doesn't stick around and pour into an entitled, ungrateful, and ignorant fanbase.
And give me a break - I'm not suggesting I'm "tough and brave for enduring crapty basketball." What I am is grateful for what Shaka has achieved at MU, his character, and overall resume - and am not somebody who is going to throw someone under the bus/show no loyalty due to 1 bad year of performance against 4 extremely good ones.
Quote from: tower912 on December 22, 2025, 07:58:41 PMYou really need to listen to his press conferences and media availabilties. In his own way, he says exactly what has gone wrong this season. Gentler, more diplomatic than here, and always with an eye toward working and getting better. But if you pay attention, he says it.
He called out his stars more in season's past, and I think he is still trying to shield these players somewhat because he gets the frustration and anger, but he says where the individual players and team need to do better.
Disagree. The substitution patterns mean a f*ck of a lot more than words, and some of the words are flat out bizarre (eg, look i. their eye = PT)
Quote from: Elonsmusk on December 23, 2025, 10:34:48 AMYou and Brew don't understand leverage. MU needs Shaka far more than Shaka needs MU. Many Scoopers overestimate where MU sits in the college basketball hierarchy in this day and age. Past program history - that dating back further than 5 years doesn't mean much of anything in this new era.
Not being at a Power 4 school is a big disadvantage. Shaka could leave MU after the season, make more money at a Power 4 school, have a bigger budget for NIL, and certainly wouldn't have any worse kind of douchebag fanbase than what you and the growing number of MU fans are proving to be.
And PS - No crap Shaka is a "grown ass man." A grown ass man who is talented, with the kind of options Shaka would have if MU eliminated his buyout - doesn't stick around and pour into an entitled, ungrateful, and ignorant fanbase.
And give me a break - I'm not suggesting I'm "tough and brave for enduring crapty basketball." What I am is grateful for what Shaka has achieved at MU, his character, and overall resume - and am not somebody who is going to throw someone under the bus/show no loyalty due to 1 bad year of performance against 4 extremely good ones.
Ners with a 5 seed and a 10 seed: FIRE THIS CLOWN, ANY OF YOU WHO BUY THIS CRAP ARE SLURPERS!!!
Ners including a 9 & a 7 seed: THESE ARE EXTREMELY GOOD SEASONS!!!
let's not act like it's been nothing but top seeds, Shaka did fantastic for 2 years and has earned some leeway, but also some heat for this year's bottom falling out but 2022 & 2025 were not "extremely good seasons" they were benchmark seasons we made the tournament as an ok seed not expected to go anywhere.
Quote from: Elonsmusk on December 23, 2025, 10:34:48 AMYou and Brew don't understand leverage. MU needs Shaka far more than Shaka needs MU. Many Scoopers overestimate where MU sits in the college basketball hierarchy in this day and age. Past program history - that dating back further than 5 years doesn't mean much of anything in this new era.
Not being at a Power 4 school is a big disadvantage. Shaka could leave MU after the season, make more money at a Power 4 school, have a bigger budget for NIL, and certainly wouldn't have any worse kind of douchebag fanbase than what you and the growing number of MU fans are proving to be.
And PS - No crap Shaka is a "grown ass man." A grown ass man who is talented, with the kind of options Shaka would have if MU eliminated his buyout - doesn't stick around and pour into an entitled, ungrateful, and ignorant fanbase.
And give me a break - I'm not suggesting I'm "tough and brave for enduring crapty basketball." What I am is grateful for what Shaka has achieved at MU, his character, and overall resume - and am not somebody who is going to throw someone under the bus/show no loyalty due to 1 bad year of performance against 4 extremely good ones.
hate having to continue discussing the Marquette financial situation. It's on good authority, from several credible national pundits, that Marquette has "great NIL". I followed up last week, just to confirm, and it was reiterated.Thats not even factoring the initial investment into the program, which ranks very well nationally.
There's a reason Shaka left Texas. He was given ultimatums, and couldn't run the program the way he wanted to. That was their boosters, protecting their investment with NIL coming down the line. It was proactive. But, the bottom line is he hates control.
Marquette, not on the same wealth scale as Texas, still pumps a ton of money into this program. That's not to say they will fire him this offseason. But those with significant vested interest in this program, will implement control, to protect their investment.
Shaka is a great orator. But beyond the surface and the moral compass he portrays, he does not want to be controlled.
So, regardless of whether we fire him, he leaves, etc... this relationship with never be as harmonious as once before.
I think it is too early to project openings for the Spring, and it is even more difficult to project what would be a better job for Smart to pursue that could be open (that would not only heavily invest in him after a season like this, but also allow for him to run a program his way). He is "home" in Wisconsin. He is at a basketball-first school that has proven it can win at a high-level sustainably and competitively. He remained at VCU and Texas for six seasons each; he is in year five. I cannot see him pursuing another job in the SEC/Big 12 leagues; I cannot see him going out west. That leaves the ACC/B1G as only other major conferences in basketball. The bottom teams right now that may make a coaching change in those leagues (Oregon, Rutgers, Boston College, Pittsburgh) do not seem like fits at all (for either party). (I cannot believe Jeff Capel has survived as long as he has at Pitt with one NCAAT appearance seven years).
Today, with still over half of the season remaining, I would project that there are several staff changes in off-season, along with a large of players departing (either via graduation or transfer). I think the "sell" for next year is that, despite how bad this year has gone, Smart essentially came into Marquette turning over the roster and was able to make the NCAAT in year one. He actually has a very strong track record as it comes to incoming transfers throughout his career; but whatever the reasons (philosophy, experience, etc.), he moved away heavily from that avenue over the past three seasons.
Quote from: GoldenWarrior11 on December 23, 2025, 10:58:48 AMHe actually has a very strong track record as it comes to incoming transfers throughout his career; but whatever the reasons (philosophy, experience, etc.), he moved away heavily from that avenue over the past three seasons.
Tyler Nickel, the one transfer we were mentioned with, is also having a good year at Vanderbilt. 15ppg on almost 50% shooting from 3. Top 20 team.
Quote from: Galway Eagle on December 23, 2025, 10:40:59 AMNers with a 5 seed and a 10 seed: FIRE THIS CLOWN, ANY OF YOU WHO BUY THIS CRAP ARE SLURPERS!!!
Ners including a 9 & a 7 seed: THESE ARE EXTREMELY GOOD SEASONS!!!
let's not act like it's been nothing but top seeds, Shaka did fantastic for 2 years and has earned some leeway, but also some heat for this year's bottom falling out but 2022 & 2025 were not "extremely good seasons" they were benchmark seasons we made the tournament as an ok seed not expected to go anywhere.
Dude - If Wojo walked into Marquette Year 1 (even inheriting 7 Top 100 players) and took that team to the NCAA as a 9 seed, and followed that up with a 2 seed and regular season and Big East Championship, and followed that up with another 2 seed, runner up Big East championship, a Sweet 16, and then followed that up with a 7 seed - yeah...I would have been plenty fine giving Wojo 1 season of grace. And even 2.
Instead he "led" us to 93 and 97 finishes in Years 1 and 2. And we have clowns on Scoop thinking Shaka's seat should be warm.
Quote from: Elonsmusk on December 23, 2025, 10:34:48 AMYou and Brew don't understand leverage. MU needs Shaka far more than Shaka needs MU. Many Scoopers overestimate where MU sits in the college basketball hierarchy in this day and age. Past program history - that dating back further than 5 years doesn't mean much of anything in this new era.
Not being at a Power 4 school is a big disadvantage. Shaka could leave MU after the season, make more money at a Power 4 school, have a bigger budget for NIL, and certainly wouldn't have any worse kind of douchebag fanbase than what you and the growing number of MU fans are proving to be.
LOL. No, Marquette doesn't "need" Shaka. Marquette has, and can again, succeed with coaches not named Shaka. This program went to three straight Sweet 16s with Buzz and a Final Four with TC, and yet you act as if Shaka's had some kind of unprecedented run of success here.
You, with no evidence, vastly underestimate Marquette's standing and resources. The money is there to be competitive. You're inventing excuses.
And speaking of not understanding leverage, you're delusional if you think some big money P4 program is going to throw millions at a coach who flamed out at his previous two gigs. Especially one who has shown either an unwillingness or inability to adjust to the modern landscape. You think Big 10 ADs and donors are looking at the results of RGV and saying "Give me some of that"?
If Shaka were to leave MU now, his best hope would be a bottom-feeder P4 program (I hear Berkeley is lovely this time of year) but more likely a mid-major. Hope he likes road trips to play in half-empty arenas in Tulsa and Birmingham.
Quoteand am not somebody who is going to throw someone under the bus/show no loyalty due to 1 bad year of performance against 4 extremely good ones.
Two very good
One good
One decent
Shaka thanks you for your service.
Quote from: ghostofcorms77 on December 23, 2025, 10:46:03 AMhate having to continue discussing the Marquette financial situation. It's on good authority, from several credible national pundits, that Marquette has "great NIL". I followed up last week, just to confirm, and it was reiterated.Thats not even factoring the initial investment into the program, which ranks very well nationally.
There's a reason Shaka left Texas. He was given ultimatums, and couldn't run the program the way he wanted to. That was their boosters, protecting their investment with NIL coming down the line. It was proactive. But, the bottom line is he hates control.
Marquette, not on the same wealth scale as Texas, still pumps a ton of money into this program. That's not to say they will fire him this offseason. But those with significant vested interest in this program, will implement control, to protect their investment.
Shaka is a great orator. But beyond the surface and the moral compass he portrays, he does not want to be controlled.
So, regardless of whether we fire him, he leaves, etc... this relationship with never be as harmonious as once before.
Who are those "national pundits" that have access to MU's internal financials?
PS...Most high achievers don't like being micromanaged or "controlled."
Quote from: Elonsmusk on December 23, 2025, 10:34:48 AMYou and Brew don't understand leverage. MU needs Shaka far more than Shaka needs MU. Many Scoopers overestimate where MU sits in the college basketball hierarchy in this day and age. Past program history - that dating back further than 5 years doesn't mean much of anything in this new era.
Not being at a Power 4 school is a big disadvantage. Shaka could leave MU after the season, make more money at a Power 4 school, have a bigger budget for NIL, and certainly wouldn't have any worse kind of douchebag fanbase than what you and the growing number of MU fans are proving to be.
And PS - No crap Shaka is a "grown ass man." A grown ass man who is talented, with the kind of options Shaka would have if MU eliminated his buyout - doesn't stick around and pour into an entitled, ungrateful, and ignorant fanbase.
And give me a break - I'm not suggesting I'm "tough and brave for enduring crapty basketball." What I am is grateful for what Shaka has achieved at MU, his character, and overall resume - and am not somebody who is going to throw someone under the bus/show no loyalty due to 1 bad year of performance against 4 extremely good ones.
While I agree with you about what Shaka has done for Marquette, you are far too over the top with your praise and far too unwilling to acknowledge the serious jeopardy he has put our program in with his refusal to use all the tools at his disposal.
If Shaka gets fired or walks away after this season, and if he goes into a job interview at any other P5 school and says he has absolutely no plans to use the transfer portal, who do you think would hire him?
Quote from: Pakuni on December 23, 2025, 11:18:57 AMLOL. No, Marquette doesn't "need" Shaka. Marquette has, and can again, succeed with coaches not named Shaka. This program went to three straight Sweet 16s with Buzz and a Final Four with TC, and yet you act as if Shaka's had some kind of unprecedented run of success here.
You, with no evidence, vastly underestimate Marquette's standing and resources. The money is there to be competitive. You're inventing excuses.
And speaking of not understanding leverage, you're delusional if you think some big money P4 program is going to throw millions at a coach who flamed out at his previous two gigs. Especially one who has shown either an unwillingness or inability to adjust to the modern landscape. You think Big 10 ADs and donors are looking at the results of RGV and saying "Give me some of that"?
If Shaka were to leave MU now, his best hope would be a bottom-feeder P4 program (I hear Berkeley is lovely this time of year) but more likely a mid-major. Hope he likes road trips to Tulsa and Birmingham.
Two very good
One good
One decent
Shaka thanks you for your service.
Thanks for making my point about some MU fans being ignorant. Tom Crean hit the lottery with a kid who couldn't qualify academically and three options - Illinois State, DePaul and Marquette - He certainly couldn't sustain any kind of success at MU, and also didn't see MU as a forever job - even with The Al McGuire Center an the vast "resources" at MU.
Buzz Williams? Best coach since Al, yet MU brass and those self righteous fans sent him packing due to off court issues.
You are delusional if you don't think Shaka would be at the top of the list for any/all off season coaching openings in the Power 4.
Quote from: MU82 on December 23, 2025, 11:32:31 AMWhile I agree with you about what Shaka has done for Marquette, you are far too over the top with your praise and far too unwilling to acknowledge the serious jeopardy he has put our program in with his refusal to use all the tools at his disposal.
If Shaka gets fired or walks away after this season, and if he goes into a job interview at any other P5 school and says he has absolutely no plans to use the transfer portal, who do you think would hire him?
You don't know that he won't use the portal after this season. You have NO idea, yet remain convinced he won't. Were we not involved with Owen Freeman last off season?
The players have failed Shaka this season. Not the other way around. He poured into all of them, and they've rewarded him with terrible at the rim shooting, terrible 3 point shooting, and seemingly developed some kind of internal chemistry issues.
Quote from: Elonsmusk on December 23, 2025, 11:30:32 AMWho are those "national pundits" that have access to MU's internal financials?
PS...Most high achievers don't like being micromanaged or "controlled."
Fanta has said T20 several times. Norlander has affirmed that statement. And the other, as I said the other day, said, "Marquette has Great NIL".
Point being. There a lots of quality coaches who'd love to have the resources, that have been afforded to Shaka. It's a desireable job. And this season is much worse than it looks, because it's a result of HC going completely rogue and his completely unorthodox ways.
Quote from: Elonsmusk on December 23, 2025, 11:35:19 AMYou are delusional if you don't think Shaka would be at the top of the list for any/all off season coaching openings in the Power 4.
If UNC parts ways with Hubert Davis after the season ends in disappointment yet again, or Ohio State decided Jake Diebler isn't the guy ... they're bat-phoning the coach who was ushered out of Austin after repeated tourney flops, hates the portal, doesn't want to deal with agents and just lost 20 games at Marquette?
You're not a serious person.
Quote from: Elonsmusk on December 23, 2025, 11:14:10 AMDude - If Wojo walked into Marquette Year 1 (even inheriting 7 Top 100 players) and took that team to the NCAA as a 9 seed, and followed that up with a 2 seed and regular season and Big East Championship, and followed that up with another 2 seed, runner up Big East championship, a Sweet 16, and then followed that up with a 7 seed - yeah...I would have been plenty fine giving Wojo 1 season of grace. And even 2.
Instead he "led" us to 93 and 97 finishes in Years 1 and 2. And we have clowns on Scoop thinking Shaka's seat should be warm.
The follow ups are irrelevant when talking about an individual season's success. It comical that you shat all over 10 & 5 yet call 9 & 7 "extremely good". I get it, you're all in on Shaka that's awesome for you, but take the blinders off and realize it's an "extremely good run" not "4 extremely good
seasons" given what you've established as your expectations of MUBB from the previous regime.
Also you've consistently hated on Wojo flopping for what he inherited (7 RSCI top 100 guys) why do you not hate on a guy for flopping worse with 7 (active) top 100 guys that he actually recruited?
Quote from: Pakuni on December 23, 2025, 11:48:51 AMIf UNC parts ways with Hubert Davis after the season ends in disappointment yet again, or Ohio State decided Jake Diebler isn't the guy ... they're bat-phoning the coach who was ushered out of Austin after repeated tourney flops, hates the portal, doesn't want to deal with agents and just lost 20 games at Marquette?
You're not a serious person.
Nobody said it would take that level of a job. The rumor posted on discord was Pitt.
Shaka would be a good fit at several schools still. He could say he's willing to change, but also still be ideal for a school with less investment, that needs to abide by a more Shaka-esque approach.
The issue at play today, is not that Shaka is terrible with X's and O's. It's that he leveraged everything on an unorthodox approach that could set us back 3 years, when that never had to be the case. He chose this.
And I know people will respond by saying, why not here? I'd simply say, he'd rather have job security, rather than have to interview on 2 consecutive losing seasons, after being fired.
It's always been about dominating the PR for Shaka. That's not going to change.
Quote from: Pakuni on December 23, 2025, 11:48:51 AMIf UNC parts ways with Hubert Davis after the season ends in disappointment yet again, or Ohio State decided Jake Diebler isn't the guy ... they're bat-phoning the coach who was ushered out of Austin after repeated tourney flops, hates the portal, doesn't want to deal with agents and just lost 20 games at Marquette?
You're not a serious person.
I'm also the "not serious person" who knew 10 games into his time at MU that Wojo wouldn't succeed. Also, predicted Buzz would have great success at MU at this point of his first season on the job. I also sounded the alarm that Buzz was growing disgruntled at MU prior to his last season - largely due to Larry Williams/Pilarz.
So MU couldn't live with Buzz's quirks/some off court issues so ran him off - our best coach since Al. Tried to replace him with choir boy in Wojo who failed. Shaka's running a clean program with high character guys, whom he's one big with in his first 4 seasons....and guys like you think he's easily replaced?
You're the one living in fantasyland.
Quote from: Galway Eagle on December 23, 2025, 12:02:17 PMThe follow ups are irrelevant when talking about an individual season's success. It comical that you shat all over 10 & 5 yet call 9 & 7 "extremely good". I get it, you're all in on Shaka that's awesome for you, but take the blinders off and realize it's an "extremely good run" not "4 extremely good seasons" given what you've established as your expectations of MUBB from the previous regime.
Also you've consistently hated on Wojo flopping for what he inherited (7 RSCI top 100 guys) why do you not hate on a guy for flopping worse with 7 (active) top 100 guys that he actually recruited?
LOL. TF does "the follow ups are irrelevant when talking about an individuals success" mean?
I'm honestly shocked you are so dense that you can't understand why Shaka would have a much different leash than Wojo. Aren't you surprised that nobody wanted Wojo after he was let go by MU?
As for Shaka's current Top 7 consensus Top 100 recruits - who are those that are RSCI Top 100 and what class year are they in?
Quote from: Elonsmusk on December 23, 2025, 11:38:06 AMYou don't know that he won't use the portal after this season. You have NO idea, yet remain convinced he won't.
I do not remain convinced of that at all. I believe Shaka's a smart guy, so I like to think he will use all the resources he has available to him, including the transfer portal, whether he is at Marquette or elsewhere. I was just pointing out how unattractive he would be to any other P5 school if he stubbornly stuck to his current philosophy. Do you disagree with that?
Quote from: Elonsmusk on December 23, 2025, 11:38:06 AMThe players have failed Shaka this season. Not the other way around. He poured into all of them, and they've rewarded him with terrible at the rim shooting, terrible 3 point shooting, and seemingly developed some kind of internal chemistry issues.
Shaka evaluated and recruited every player on this roster for months or even years. He brought them in, he coached them up, and he was in charge of their development. He built the roster, theoretically to run the system that he wanted to run. He also is the program's Head Chemist; if there are chemistry issues, he bears some responsibility there, too.
I am among the Scoopers who has given significant credit to Shaka for the development of Kolek, Oso, Kam, Stevie, etc. So when he told us repeatedly that many of this year's players had improved significantly, I believed him. Obviously, I shouldn't have.
To suggest he bears little to no responsibility for this season's mess is just dopey. The CEO of any company is directly responsible for its success or failure. Frankly, Ners, I am surprised you don't agree with that.
BTW, I'm often lumped in with you and other "Shaka slurpers" by the Scoopers who are really on his case.
Quote from: ghostofcorms77 on December 23, 2025, 12:05:27 PMNobody said it would take that level of a job. The rumor posted on discord was Pitt.
Shaka would be a good fit at several schools still. He could say he's willing to change, but also still be ideal for a school with less investment, that needs to abide by a more Shaka-esque approach.
The issue at play today, is not that Shaka is terrible with X's and O's. It's that he leveraged everything on an unorthodox approach that could set us back 3 years, when that never had to be the case. He chose this.
And I know people will respond by saying, why not here? I'd simply say, he'd rather have job security, rather than have to interview on 2 consecutive losing seasons, after being fired.
It's always been about dominating the PR for Shaka. That's not going to change.
This seems like quite the exaggeration on Shaka. Leaving Marquette for Pitt in 2025 to "save face" in the event his seat becomes warm seems like a weird made up scenario.
And that's coming from someone that thinks Marquette should fire Shaka if he doesn't agree to use the portal after this season is done.
Quote from: GoldenEagles03 on December 23, 2025, 12:28:25 PMThis seems like quite the exaggeration on Shaka. Leaving Marquette for Pitt in 2025 to "save face" in the event his seat becomes warm seems like a weird made up scenario.
And that's coming from someone that thinks Marquette should fire Shaka if he doesn't agree to use the portal after this season is done.
If Shaka wanted Pitt, and Pitt wanted Shaka. Marquette would be rid of paying the buyout. I'm not saying he's going to leave for Pitt. I'm simply stating, what a very reliable pundit put on a board.
Everyone gets a fresh start. Shaka can reinvent the wheel again. And Marquette can use that funding to go pry someone away.
Quote from: ghostofcorms77 on December 23, 2025, 12:05:27 PMNobody said it would take that level of a job. The rumor posted on discord was Pitt.
Maybe you missed the post I was replying to. Elon believes Shaka would be a top candidate for "all" P4 openings.
If Jon Scheyer quits tomorrow, Duke is calling Shaka. If Bill Self retires at the end of the yeat, Shaka is hearing from Lawrence.
So sayeth Elon.
Quote from: Elonsmusk on December 23, 2025, 12:18:08 PMLOL. TF does "the follow ups are irrelevant when talking about an individuals success" mean?
If you say a season like 2022 is great then 2023 is irrelevant. Aka the follow ups aren't relevant when talking about a season. 2012 didn't make 2011 a great season, 2003 didn't make 2002 a great season, 1994 didn't make 1993 a great season. So 2022 was not "good season" just because of 2023 & 2024 nor was 2025 a "good season" because of the two years prior.
QuoteI'm honestly shocked you are so dense that you can't understand why Shaka would have a much different leash than Wojo. Aren't you surprised that nobody wanted Wojo after he was let go by MU?
While I appreciate the high expectations, I'm not sure dense is the right term here. I've said Shakas earned some leeway due to the two great seasons and also earned heat due to this bottom falling out. I'm not surprised that nobody wanted Wojo, he was a C coach. What I'm surprised at is for someone like yourself, who has immense expectations for MUBB you'd lump two very average at best seasons in as "great" while having been so critical of two equally average seasons not so long ago.
QuoteAs for Shaka's current Top 7 consensus Top 100 recruits - who are those that are RSCI Top 100 and what class year are they in?
Admittedly, I got my 247 top 100 vs rsci mixed up. My bad for this point.
Quote from: MU82 on December 23, 2025, 12:26:20 PMI do not remain convinced of that at all. I believe Shaka's a smart guy, so I like to think he will use all the resources he has available to him, including the transfer portal, whether he is at Marquette or elsewhere. I was just pointing out how unattractive he would be to any other P5 school if he stubbornly stuck to his current philosophy. Do you disagree with that?
Shaka evaluated and recruited every player on this roster for months or even years. He brought them in, he coached them up, and he was in charge of their development. He built the roster, theoretically to run the system that he wanted to run. He also is the program's Head Chemist; if there are chemistry issues, he bears some responsibility there, too.
I am among the Scoopers who has given significant credit to Shaka for the development of Kolek, Oso, Kam, Stevie, etc. So when he told us repeatedly that many of this year's players had improved significantly, I believed him. Obviously, I shouldn't have.
To suggest he bears little to no responsibility for this season's mess is just dopey. The CEO of any company is directly responsible for its success or failure. Frankly, Ners, I am surprised you don't agree with that.
BTW, I'm often lumped in with you and other "Shaka slurpers" by the Scoopers who are really on his case.
So was he misleading or did he actually believe his guys improved?
Quote from: Pakuni on December 23, 2025, 12:39:09 PMMaybe you missed the post I was replying to. Elon believes Shaka would be a top candidate for "all" P4 openings.
If Jon Scheyer quits tomorrow, Duke is calling Shaka. If Bill Self retires at the end of the yeat, Shaka is hearing from Lawrence.
So sayeth Elon.
Shaka would be very attractive for most programs. It's pretty well known that Kentucky at least "made the call" as did Michigan.
Quote from: ghostofcorms77 on December 23, 2025, 12:31:58 PMIf Shaka wanted Pitt, and Pitt wanted Shaka. Marquette would be rid of paying the buyout. I'm not saying he's going to leave for Pitt. I'm simply stating, what a very reliable pundit put on a board.
Everyone gets a fresh start. Shaka can reinvent the wheel again. And Marquette can use that funding to go pry someone away.
I guess I just don't buy it. You're not winning at Pitt more than you are at Marquette and Marquette is fine with the way Shaka is operating. At least all indications seem to be that way. The occasional reset year will happen, but I'd imagine Marquette is pretty pleased with the results Shaka has gotten. Big East Titles, NCAA Tournaments with the occasional second weekend or deeper run is right in Marquette's wheelhouse historically.
Quote from: wadesworld on December 23, 2025, 01:17:23 PMShaka would be very attractive for most programs. It's pretty well known that Kentucky at least "made the call" as did Michigan.
I think this is 100% correct.
Also, I would 100% guarantee UK and Michigan would never, ever, touch a coach coming off a losing season, much less a 20+ loss season.
I hope a high major program like MU will be pleased to have Shaka next year, assuming he is ready to coach, but most P5 programs wouldn't touch him unless they were looking to turn around a bottom feeder with Hail Mary hire.
-but, this could all change in 18 months and he could be the belle of the ball again-
Quote from: ghostofcorms77 on December 23, 2025, 12:31:58 PMIf Shaka wanted Pitt, and Pitt wanted Shaka. Marquette would be rid of paying the buyout. I'm not saying he's going to leave for Pitt. I'm simply stating, what a very reliable pundit put on a board.
Everyone gets a fresh start. Shaka can reinvent the wheel again. And Marquette can use that funding to go pry someone away.
You've had a shocking amount to say lately about shaka and board members and buyouts.
Created account in May 2023 to only post about Jimmy Butler/MU beef. No posts before that. No posts since that topic.
But lots know with apparently lots of insider knowledge with booster connections.
Quote from: Pakuni on December 23, 2025, 12:39:09 PMMaybe you missed the post I was replying to. Elon believes Shaka would be a top candidate for "all" P4 openings.
If Jon Scheyer quits tomorrow, Duke is calling Shaka. If Bill Self retires at the end of the yeat, Shaka is hearing from Lawrence.
So sayeth Elon.
You're right. Duke would call Wojo first. And yea, if Self retired and word got out that Shaka was looking to move on from MU - I feel it would be much greater than 50/50 chance as to if he'd get an interview. And the same would apply to Ohio State and UNC. He'd be in the running - and he would crush it at UNC.
That aside, as Wades posted - Kentucky and Michigan sniffed around on Shaka. How nice he showed some loyalty and didn't dump MU for two programs that are MASSIVELY better than MU.
And what coach do you think would want to come to MU after a guy who came into the MU program, which hadn't won an NCAA game in 10 years, took over a team that ranked 83rd prior to his arrival, and produced what Shaka produced Years 1-4?
Quote from: wadesworld on December 23, 2025, 01:17:23 PMShaka would be very attractive for most programs. It's pretty well known that Kentucky at least "made the call" as did Michigan.
It's not 2023 any more. If Shaka were a stock, he'd be more Pfizer than Nvidia.
Recency bias weighs heavily in coaching searches, and a coach coming off a 18- to 20-loss season in the Big East isn't going to be a hot name on the P4 carousel. And that's not even considering Shaka's stance on transfers and agents. You think Kentucky is hiring a guy who says "I don't talk to agents"?
What's Juwan Howard up to these days?
Quote from: Galway Eagle on December 23, 2025, 12:52:41 PMIf you say a season like 2022 is great then 2023 is irrelevant. Aka the follow ups aren't relevant when talking about a season. 2012 didn't make 2011 a great season, 2003 didn't make 2002 a great season, 1994 didn't make 1993 a great season. So 2022 was not "good season" just because of 2023 & 2024 nor was 2025 a "good season" because of the two years prior.
While I appreciate the high expectations, I'm not sure dense is the right term here. I've said Shakas earned some leeway due to the two great seasons and also earned heat due to this bottom falling out. I'm not surprised that nobody wanted Wojo, he was a C coach. What I'm surprised at is for someone like yourself, who has immense expectations for MUBB you'd lump two very average at best seasons in as "great" while having been so critical of two equally average seasons not so long ago.
Admittedly, I got my 247 top 100 vs rsci mixed up. My bad for this point.
I guess context doesn't matter? 2022 - Year 1 on the job, taking over a team that finished 83rd under Wojo, in which 3 players stayed at MU upon his arrival, and he put together a squad that got a 9 seed only to draw National Runnerup, UNC as a 9 seed? I'd say that was a great year. 2023 was a great season. As was 2024. Last year was a good to very good year by Marquette program history/standards.
Regarding Wojo - I was most critical of him Years 1 and 2. I didn't criticize his 5/10 seeds. Criticized how badly we got blasted in those 1st Round Games.
I do have high hopes and standards for the MU program, but I'm not unrealistic or a homer to understand Marquette isn't a blue blood, and now in this day and age of Power 4 conferences throwing million(s) at transfers, we go from a 20sih program to 40ish in my OPINION.
Quote from: jesmu84 on December 23, 2025, 02:16:42 PMYou've had a shocking amount to say lately about shaka and board members and buyouts.
Created account in May 2023 to only post about Jimmy Butler/MU beef. No posts before that. No posts since that topic.
But lots know with apparently lots of insider knowledge with booster connections.
There are other MU boards too. Some of us post on those more than here.
Quote from: JTJ3 on December 23, 2025, 02:43:30 PMThere are other MU boards too. Some of us post on those more than here.
Like what?
Are you familiar with ghost?
Quote from: Elonsmusk on December 23, 2025, 02:17:22 PMYou're right. Duke would call Wojo first.
I see we've reached the pathetic goalpost shifting stage of the discussion.
QuoteAnd what coach do you think would want to come to MU after a guy who came into the MU program, which hadn't won an NCAA game in 10 years, took over a team that ranked 83rd prior to his arrival, and produced what Shaka produced Years 1-4?
Gotta call TJ and see if he wants to come home. Next call might go to Chris Gerlufsen.
Anyhow, it's nice that you think coaches actually care about this stuff. They don't. Did LSU running Ed Orgeron out of town two years after he had the arguably the greatest season in history prevent them from hiring two big-name coaches since? Did Chris Beard pass on Texas because Shaka was nudged out of town?
Coaches care about the salary, the resources and the opportunity for success, not whether fans or the administration were nice enough to the previous guy. And none of them are worried about how they'll be treated if they fail.
Quote from: wadesworld on December 23, 2025, 01:17:23 PMShaka would be very attractive for most programs. It's pretty well known that Kentucky at least "made the call" as did Michigan.
May have been true at one time, probably not anymore.
Quote from: Elonsmusk on December 23, 2025, 02:17:22 PMYou're right. Duke would call Wojo first. And yea, if Self retired and word got out that Shaka was looking to move on from MU - I feel it would be much greater than 50/50 chance as to if he'd get an interview. And the same would apply to Ohio State and UNC. He'd be in the running - and he would crush it at UNC.
That aside, as Wades posted - Kentucky and Michigan sniffed around on Shaka. How nice he showed some loyalty and didn't dump MU for two programs that are MASSIVELY better than MU.
And what coach do you think would want to come to MU after a guy who came into the MU program, which hadn't won an NCAA game in 10 years, took over a team that ranked 83rd prior to his arrival, and produced what Shaka produced Years 1-4?
Those fanbases would burn their practice facilities down if they hired a guy coming off a single digit win season.
Quote from: ghostofcorms77 on December 23, 2025, 10:46:03 AMhate having to continue discussing the Marquette financial situation. It's on good authority, from several credible national pundits, that Marquette has "great NIL". I followed up last week, just to confirm, and it was reiterated.Thats not even factoring the initial investment into the program, which ranks very well nationally.
There's a reason Shaka left Texas. He was given ultimatums, and couldn't run the program the way he wanted to. That was their boosters, protecting their investment with NIL coming down the line. It was proactive. But, the bottom line is he hates control.
Marquette, not on the same wealth scale as Texas, still pumps a ton of money into this program. That's not to say they will fire him this offseason. But those with significant vested interest in this program, will implement control, to protect their investment.
Shaka is a great orator. But beyond the surface and the moral compass he portrays, he does not want to be controlled.
So, regardless of whether we fire him, he leaves, etc... this relationship with never be as harmonious as once before.
So give the NIL figures... or stop the BS
Quote from: Newsdreams on December 23, 2025, 02:53:18 PMSo give the NIL figures... or stop the BS
Paint Touches did a decent job of it around this time a year ago.
MU isn't poor or lacking in resources.
https://painttouches.com/2024/12/30/how-much-do-marquette-players-make-in-nil/
Quote from: Pakuni on December 23, 2025, 02:58:44 PMPaint Touches did a decent job of it around this time a year ago.
MU isn't poor or lacking in resources.
https://painttouches.com/2024/12/30/how-much-do-marquette-players-make-in-nil/
Yes, I know I'm talking about his claims of incredible NIL and remember this is the NIL collective a MU fund that is shared. But he is referencing some huge amounts of NIL which would come from independent boosters yet no amount is put forward so I call BS.
Quote from: Pakuni on December 23, 2025, 02:46:44 PMI see we've reached the pathetic goalpost shifting stage of the discussion.
Gotta call TJ and see if he wants to come home. Next call might go to Chris Gerlufsen.
Anyhow, it's nice that you think coaches actually care about this stuff. They don't. Did LSU running Ed Orgeron out of town two years after he had the arguably the greatest season in history prevent them from hiring two big-name coaches since? Did Chris Beard pass on Texas because Shaka was nudged out of town?
Coaches care about the salary, the resources and the opportunity for success, not whether fans or the administration were nice enough to the previous guy. And none of them are worried about how they'll be treated if they fail.
Shift the goal posts? Laughable as you invented a scenario of John Scheyer quitting Duke to try to find an example of where Shaka wouldn't be at the top of the list for a call. Also, nice to throw out another blueblood (KU) who just got $300M donated to their athletic department.
Question: Do you think the LSU football program and MU basketball program are in the same hierarchy of prestige as coaching destinations within their sport?
Why would TJ Otzelberger leave Iowa State? And you think Chris F'in Gerlufsen is a more attractive coaching candidate than Shaka?? Thanks for confirming you are clueless.
Quote from: Pakuni on December 23, 2025, 02:58:44 PMPaint Touches did a decent job of it around this time a year ago.
MU isn't poor or lacking in resources.
https://painttouches.com/2024/12/30/how-much-do-marquette-players-make-in-nil/
...but, but Seton Hall is putting a competitive team thus far on the court with essentially "no money". Then of course their coach took St. Peters to the Elite 8. It should be an interesting game tonight.
Quote from: Elonsmusk on December 23, 2025, 03:27:30 PMShift the goal posts? Laughable as you invented a scenario of John Scheyer quitting Duke to try to find an example of where Shaka wouldn't be at the top of the list for a call. Also, nice to throw out another blueblood (KU) who just got $300M donated to their athletic department.
Question: Do you think the LSU football program and MU basketball program are in the same hierarchy of prestige as coaching destinations within their sport?
Why would TJ Otzelberger leave Iowa State? And you think Chris F'in Gerlufsen is a more attractive coaching candidate than Shaka?? Thanks for confirming you are clueless.
What will your opinion of Shaka be if he retains the majority of this years roster going into next season?
Quote from: Elonsmusk on December 23, 2025, 03:27:30 PMShift the goal posts? Laughable as you invented a scenario of John Scheyer quitting Duke to try to find an example of where Shaka wouldn't be at the top of the list for a call. Also, nice to throw out another blueblood (KU) who just got $300M donated to their athletic department.
You're the guy who literally wrote that Shaka would be a "top candidate" to "all" P4 job openings. Don't backtrack now. Own it.
QuoteQuestion: Do you think the LSU football program and MU basketball program are in the same hierarchy of prestige as coaching destinations within their sport?
That's irrelevant to your point. You claimed that good coaches will avoid going to places where their predecessor was fired despite past success. That's clearly false. Coaches get fired all the time despite past success. And good coaches replace them all the time.
QuoteWhy would TJ Otzelberger leave Iowa State?
For the same reason Matt Campbell did. Do you think Iowa State is his forever job?
QuoteAnd you think Chris F'in Gerlufsen is a more attractive coaching candidate than Shaka?? Thanks for confirming you are clueless.
If Shaka refuses or is unable to adapt and/or the program continues on its current trajectory, yes, Chris Gerlufsen is a more attractive coaching candidate. I mean, you'd have to be an idiot to hire a highly successful coach from a program like San Francisco. Just ask Florida.
And as always, when Ners loses, he resorts to petty insults.
Quote from: panda on December 23, 2025, 03:36:24 PMWhat will your opinion of Shaka be if he retains the majority of this years roster going into next season?
I'd be disappointed if he didn't bring in at least 1 proven contributor to help bridge the gap in development of Nigel, Adrien, Phillips, Ian, Nash Walker, Alex Egbouno, and Sheek.
I'm okay with Sean Jones as a backup PG, and Zaide being in the mix if he sticks around. I'd probably vote to keep Caedin over Tre just because we are deeper at guard than in the frontcourt - and I still think Caedin can develop into a serviceable 15-20 minute Big East player.
But, if he keeps all of them, and all want to stay - I won't begrudge Shaka for staying the course to honor the promise of RGV to those players. However, the RGV branding needs to fade to the background, and not be at the forefront of our program at this specific moment in time until we return to being an NCAA team.
Quote from: Pakuni on December 23, 2025, 04:04:57 PMYou're the guy who literally wrote that Shaka would be a "top candidate" to "all" P4 job openings. Don't backtrack now. Own it.
That's irrelevant to your point. You claimed that good coaches will avoid going to places where their predecessor was fired despite past success. That's clearly false. Coaches get fired all the time despite past success. And good coaches replace them all the time.
For the same reason Matt Campbell did. Do you think Iowa State is his forever job?
If Shaka refuses or is unable to adapt and/or the program continues on its current trajectory, yes, Chris Gerlufsen is a more attractive coaching candidate. I mean, you'd have to be an idiot to hire a highly successful coach from a program like San Francisco. Just ask Florida.
And as always, when Ners loses, he resorts to petty insults.
The only poster losing here, is you. Chris Gerlfusen? A guy whose high water mark in 4 years as a coach at San Fran is 66 in KenPom last year, and he's at 97 this year?
Matt Campbell?? WTF are you comparing college football programs to college basketball? Last post it was LSU football to Marquette hoops. Now its Iowa State football coach? But yet again, do you think Penn State football holds a higher stature on the college football landscape than Marquette does in college basketball?
I think most honest sports fans could understand a college football coach preferring to take the Penn State job versus continuing in an inferior conference at an inferior program. And most honest sports fans would say the head coach of Penn State football is a higher profile, more desirable job than being the Marquette basketball coach.
And as for all openings at the end of the season comment - making up a scenario where John Scheyer quits Duke, the biggest blueblood of them all, to try to discredit my post that said Shaka would be at the top of the list of Power 4 openings this offseason - that's a perfect straw man argument. But, that's all you've got, because your way out over your skis once again - just like you were when you thought Wojo was gonna be a great coach for MU!
The Otz talk is the same reason Campbell left, NIL and Rev Share resources. Iowa State is having major issues with it right now. Otz was ready to leave due to it last offseason.
I'm not saying Otz would come home, but he has the Milwaukee connections so it makes sense. And he'd have more resources here to work with. He would be the first call.
Quote from: Elonsmusk on December 23, 2025, 04:11:11 PMI'd be disappointed if he didn't bring in at least 1 proven contributor to help bridge the gap in development of Nigel, Adrien, Phillips, Ian, Nash Walker, Alex Egbouno, and Sheek.
I'm okay with Sean Jones as a backup PG, and Zaide being in the mix if he sticks around. I'd probably vote to keep Caedin over Tre just because we are deeper at guard than in the frontcourt - and I still think Caedin can develop into a serviceable 15-20 minute Big East player.
But, if he keeps all of them, and all want to stay - I won't begrudge Shaka for staying the course to honor the promise of RGV to those players. However, the RGV branding needs to fade to the background, and not be at the forefront of our program at this specific moment in time until we return to being an NCAA team.
Your big change to the team from this season is to remove the RGV branding, bring in one player and stick with Caedin Hamilton??
You've officially lost the plot
Quote from: Elonsmusk on December 23, 2025, 10:34:48 AMMU needs Shaka far more than Shaka needs MU.
I'll be honest, after 7 years of Wojo, I NEVER would've pegged you as the blind faith, coach walks on water, dedicated slurper you've become. Good lord, we can't even have a good faith discussion about the state of the program under Shaka without you getting apoplectic in lemming support. Of all the people...
Quote from: brewcity77 on December 23, 2025, 05:13:03 PMI'll be honest, after 7 years of Wojo, I NEVER would've pegged you as the blind faith, coach walks on water, dedicated slurper you've become. Good lord, we can't even have a good faith discussion about the state of the program under Shaka without you getting apoplectic in lemming support. Of all the people...
LOL - I'll slurp a winner like Shaka who has some skins on the wall, brought a lot of success to MU, and is trying to navigate the rapidly changing landscape of college basketball in a way that he felt could make success sustainable at MU.
A loser like Wojo? Not a chance. Help me understand why for 5 years you preached patience with Wojo, but 2 months in for Shaka, after massively exceeding anything Wojo did in their first four years on the job, respectively - you are among the leaders of the Shaka sucks sentiment?
You have patience to back losers, but fly off the rails when a winner struggles? And do you recall if we pursued Owen Freeman in the portal this past off season? You do realize just because you pursue a player, doesn't mean you land them, correct?
Quote from: Pakuni on December 23, 2025, 02:27:44 PMIt's not 2023 any more. If Shaka were a stock, he'd be more Pfizer than Nvidia.
Recency bias weighs heavily in coaching searches, and a coach coming off a 18- to 20-loss season in the Big East isn't going to be a hot name on the P4 carousel. And that's not even considering Shaka's stance on transfers and agents. You think Kentucky is hiring a guy who says "I don't talk to agents"?
This.
Shaka has made a brand out of being the one non-portal guy among all high-major coaches. He's been vocal about it and proud of it. In the days leading up to this season, our university president was crowing about how we're doing things "right" because under Shaka, Marquette is the non-portal, recruit-develop-retain basketball school.
The current version of Shaka would have 0% chance to land a job at any major school that takes pride in its basketball program.
Would Shaka change his philosophy to land a good P5 job? Maybe, he has changed his philosophy before. (And now we all wish he would do so again at Marquette.) Could he convince a school president and AD to hire the New Improved Happy-To-Portal Shaka, even coming off a disastrous season here? Maybe, he's a good salesperson.
But this current, Marquette version of Shaka? A blueblood would laugh at the prospect, as would most "basketball schools." He has severely, perhaps even fatally, damaged this particular brand of his. Even Ners knows it, though he tippy-toes around it.
Quote from: MU82 on December 23, 2025, 06:19:33 PMThis.
Shaka has made a brand out of being the one non-portal guy among all high-major coaches. He's been vocal about it and proud of it. In the days leading up to this season, our university president was crowing about how we're doing things "right" because under Shaka, Marquette is the non-portal, recruit-develop-retain basketball school.
The current version of Shaka would have 0% chance to land a job at any major school that takes pride in its basketball program.
Would Shaka change his philosophy to land a good P5 job? Maybe, he has changed his philosophy before. (And now we all wish he would do so again at Marquette.) Could he convince a school president and AD to hire the New Improved Happy-To-Portal Shaka, even coming off a disastrous season here? Maybe, he's a good salesperson.
But this current, Marquette version of Shaka? A blueblood would laugh at the prospect, as would most "basketball schools." He has severely, perhaps even fatally, damaged this particular brand of his. Even Ners knows it, though he tippy-toes around it.
Marquette should laugh at it as well but I'm afraid they are in too deep with it too.
We got the Freshman of the Year in A-10, an NBA player from Clemson, the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, and a Starting Center from Oklahoma in one portal session with Kolek, Prosper, Morsell, and Kuath. One session!
That could happen every year and probably should when we have years like this. I hope they can successfully reset.
Quote from: CountryRoads on December 23, 2025, 11:11:46 AMTyler Nickel, the one transfer we were mentioned with, is also having a good year at Vanderbilt. 15ppg on almost 50% shooting from 3. Top 20 team.
well there's the problem. Our academic standards are too high so he had to settle for Vanderbilt.
Quote from: Elonsmusk on December 23, 2025, 11:35:19 AMThanks for making my point about some MU fans being ignorant. Tom Crean hit the lottery with a kid who couldn't qualify academically and three options - Illinois State, DePaul and Marquette - He certainly couldn't sustain any kind of success at MU, and also didn't see MU as a forever job - even with The Al McGuire Center an the vast "resources" at MU.
Buzz Williams? Best coach since Al, yet MU brass and those self righteous fans sent him packing due to off court issues.
You are delusional if you don't think Shaka would be at the top of the list for any/all off season coaching openings in the Power 4.
Yes, TC had two down years after the Final Four, yet we were on the bubble each year, and probably in the tourney before Travis went down in 2005, leaving us with no PG because Niv Berkowitz tucked tail back home and Brandon Bell was shown the door and sent packing for Detroit. How did Crean react? The Amigos, after we stepped up in competition by joining the Big East, went to three straight tourneys (the Jerel injury killed us in 2007).
Buzz could have stayed; in fact, he had all the power after he got rid of Larry Williams, but he decided he couldn't win at MU because of the NBE's formation and us not having football. He bailed when he was afraid the going was going to get tough. And don't blame MU, he had everything he wanted at Va Tech and A&M and still left. That's who he is.
Quote from: muwarrior69 on December 23, 2025, 12:56:52 PMSo was he misleading or did he actually believe his guys improved?
That's a legit question. Either would not be good.
He did say during the Creighton post-game presser that several guys practice better than they play, perhaps suggesting that they are still fooling him.
Quote from: MU82 on December 23, 2025, 06:56:08 PMThat's a legit question. Either would not be good.
He did say during the Creighton post-game presser that several guys practice better than they play, perhaps suggesting that they are still fooling him.
I think he has seen enough games to see who have a better chance to produce and I can't believe he isn't getting staff in his ear
I want to give Shaka the benefit of the doubt, but this is a massive dropoff. It's a worse drop-off from the previous season and from expectations than Deane's fifth year. At least that team beat some power 4 programs.
Quote from: Elonsmusk on December 23, 2025, 06:15:25 PMYou have patience to back losers, but fly off the rails when a winner struggles? And do you recall if we pursued Owen Freeman in the portal this past off season? You do realize just because you pursue a player, doesn't mean you land them, correct?
I'm not off the rails. The simple reality is Shaka has built his program around RGV and it is clearly a failed model, and he can't retool the roster the way it needs to be retooled without betraying everything he's said the last 4 years. I take him at his word, which means either he compromises his morals and promises to players, he doesn't compromise and we continue to suck, or he leaves.
I don't think he'll do the first option, I don't think the second is acceptable, which leaves only the third. It's not that he's not capable, it's that he's painted himself into a corner and can't stay at Marquette and quickly turn this around without betraying all the trust he's built up.
And no, we didn't pursue Owen Freeman or any other transfers. We haven't seriously pursued a D1 transfer in years.
Quote from: brewcity77 on December 24, 2025, 01:20:12 AMI'm not off the rails. The simple reality is Shaka has built his program around RGV and it is clearly a failed model, and he can't retool the roster the way it needs to be retooled without betraying everything he's said the last 4 years. I take him at his word, which means either he compromises his morals and promises to players, he doesn't compromise and we continue to suck, or he leaves.
I don't think he'll do the first option, I don't think the second is acceptable, which leaves only the third. It's not that he's not capable, it's that he's painted himself into a corner and can't stay at Marquette and quickly turn this around without betraying all the trust he's built up.
And no, we didn't pursue Owen Freeman or any other transfers. We haven't seriously pursued a D1 transfer in years.
Well the good news is for a measured guy like you (who apparently isn't off the rails) and who formerly preached patience, and gave Wojo 5 years - Shaka will have 5 years to show that he's getting things on the right "trajectory." He, far more than a guy like Wojo, should get 5 years, since he's already accomplished a crap ton at MU in his first 4 years.
So, lets call this Year 1 of Wojo, essentially. To argue Shaka has to fix it in one year is silly - much like you, TAMU and other Projos suggested needing to give Wojo time to improve versus firing him after 1 or 2 years - and he didn't even have any skins on the wall for credentials of a Final Four, Sweet 16, 4 straight NCAAs at MU out of the gate before tailing off.
Quote from: Elonsmusk on December 24, 2025, 08:45:07 AMWell the good news is for a measured guy like you (who apparently isn't off the rails) and who formerly preached patience, and gave Wojo 5 years - Shaka will have 5 years to show that he's getting things on the right "trajectory." He, far more than a guy like Wojo, should get 5 years, since he's already accomplished a crap ton at MU in his first 4 years.
So, lets call this Year 1 of Wojo, essentially. To argue Shaka has to fix it in one year is silly - much like you, TAMU and other Projos suggested needing to give Wojo time to improve versus firing him after 1 or 2 years - and he didn't even have any skins on the wall for credentials of a Final Four, Sweet 16, 4 straight NCAAs at MU out of the gate before tailing off.
So, we're just going to ignore how and why we got here?
Pray tell, how did we get to the point where this program needs multiple years of fixing? Who is accountable for that (hint: the correct answer is not Wojo)?
Quote from: Elonsmusk on December 24, 2025, 08:45:07 AMWell the good news is for a measured guy like you (who apparently isn't off the rails) and who formerly preached patience, and gave Wojo 5 years - Shaka will have 5 years to show that he's getting things on the right "trajectory." He, far more than a guy like Wojo, should get 5 years, since he's already accomplished a crap ton at MU in his first 4 years.
So, lets call this Year 1 of Wojo, essentially. To argue Shaka has to fix it in one year is silly - much like you, TAMU and other Projos suggested needing to give Wojo time to improve versus firing him after 1 or 2 years - and he didn't even have any skins on the wall for credentials of a Final Four, Sweet 16, 4 straight NCAAs at MU out of the gate before tailing off.
Wojo did not have the advantage of immediate eligibility for transfers to rebuild the roster, nor did he have NIL and Rev Share to help attract recruits.
Quote from: Elonsmusk on December 24, 2025, 08:45:07 AMWell the good news is for a measured guy like you (who apparently isn't off the rails) and who formerly preached patience, and gave Wojo 5 years - Shaka will have 5 years to show that he's getting things on the right "trajectory." He, far more than a guy like Wojo, should get 5 years, since he's already accomplished a crap ton at MU in his first 4 years.
So, lets call this Year 1 of Wojo, essentially. To argue Shaka has to fix it in one year is silly - much like you, TAMU and other Projos suggested needing to give Wojo time to improve versus firing him after 1 or 2 years - and he didn't even have any skins on the wall for credentials of a Final Four, Sweet 16, 4 straight NCAAs at MU out of the gate before tailing off.
That makes no sense. This was his first year of resetting from a veteran roster that he didn't recruit but that he mentored. This is year one of next gen and it's an abject disaster. This won't turn in an offseason, but we should expect to see much more of year 1 Shaka , who portaled out of necessity, and we should expect to see a diametrically different level of competence than what we've witnessed from everyone.
Look, there are coaches across all of college sports who have left the college scene because they didn't like what it's become. Shaka staked a bet he could survive in spite of it. The next bet he makes needs to hit -- whatever that is.
Quote from: Elonsmusk on December 24, 2025, 08:45:07 AMWell the good news is for a measured guy like you (who apparently isn't off the rails) and who formerly preached patience, and gave Wojo 5 years - Shaka will have 5 years to show that he's getting things on the right "trajectory." He, far more than a guy like Wojo, should get 5 years, since he's already accomplished a crap ton at MU in his first 4 years.
So, lets call this Year 1 of Wojo, essentially. To argue Shaka has to fix it in one year is silly - much like you, TAMU and other Projos suggested needing to give Wojo time to improve versus firing him after 1 or 2 years - and he didn't even have any skins on the wall for credentials of a Final Four, Sweet 16, 4 straight NCAAs at MU out of the gate before tailing off.
You make some valid points, if this was April 2025.
Professional sports are results based businesses and this season is doing harm to the MU brand. That said, I want Shaka back if he wants to be back and commits to stewarding the MU program like it deserves to be.
Quote from: Elonsmusk on December 24, 2025, 08:45:07 AMand gave Wojo 5 years
You keep saying this and it's simply idiotic. WE WERE RANKED IN THE TOP 10 TO START MARCH IN YEAR 5!!!
Stop acting like it was unreasonable to support the coach of a top-10 team.
Quote from: Elonsmusk on December 24, 2025, 08:45:07 AMWell the good news is for a measured guy like you (who apparently isn't off the rails) and who formerly preached patience, and gave Wojo 5 years - Shaka will have 5 years to show that he's getting things on the right "trajectory." He, far more than a guy like Wojo, should get 5 years, since he's already accomplished a crap ton at MU in his first 4 years.
So, lets call this Year 1 of Wojo, essentially. To argue Shaka has to fix it in one year is silly - much like you, TAMU and other Projos suggested needing to give Wojo time to improve versus firing him after 1 or 2 years - and he didn't even have any skins on the wall for credentials of a Final Four, Sweet 16, 4 straight NCAAs at MU out of the gate before tailing off.
Step 1 is always the hardest part, brother. Denial is hard. I believe in you.
The current players might like Shaka but have heard some former players are upset with Shaka.
Quote from: Elonsmusk on December 24, 2025, 08:45:07 AMWell the good news is for a measured guy like you (who apparently isn't off the rails) and who formerly preached patience, and gave Wojo 5 years - Shaka will have 5 years to show that he's getting things on the right "trajectory." He, far more than a guy like Wojo, should get 5 years, since he's already accomplished a crap ton at MU in his first 4 years.
So, lets call this Year 1 of Wojo, essentially. To argue Shaka has to fix it in one year is silly - much like you, TAMU and other Projos suggested needing to give Wojo time to improve versus firing him after 1 or 2 years - and he didn't even have any skins on the wall for credentials of a Final Four, Sweet 16, 4 straight NCAAs at MU out of the gate before tailing off.
wake up, man!! Shaka created this mess. Marquette is a laughing stock right now. We are staring down the barrel of a 3 win in-conference season, at best! If day one after we lose in the BET, Shaka is still all about RGV, he's gotta go. Too much at stake to keep him.
Quote from: brewcity77 on December 25, 2025, 01:00:49 AMYou keep saying this and it's simply idiotic. WE WERE RANKED IN THE TOP 10 TO START MARCH IN YEAR 5!!!
Stop acting like it was unreasonable to support the coach of a top-10 team.
We were ranked in the top 5 last season.
Quote from: MarquetteMike1977 on December 25, 2025, 03:20:37 AMThe current players might like Shaka but have heard some former players are upset with Shaka.
Care to share more?
Quote from: MarquetteMike1977 on December 25, 2025, 03:20:37 AMThe current players might like Shaka but have heard some former players are upset with Shaka.
Without names and reasons, as well as something to vouch for the credibility of the source, this sounds questionable at best.
Quote from: MU82 on December 25, 2025, 10:50:01 AMWithout names and reasons, as well as something to vouch for the credibility of the source, this sounds questionable at best.
Former players are fans too.
Quote from: brewcity77 on December 24, 2025, 01:20:12 AMI'm not off the rails. The simple reality is Shaka has built his program around RGV and it is clearly a failed model, and he can't retool the roster the way it needs to be retooled without betraying everything he's said the last 4 years. I take him at his word, which means either he compromises his morals and promises to players, he doesn't compromise and we continue to suck, or he leaves.
I don't think he'll do the first option, I don't think the second is acceptable, which leaves only the third. It's not that he's not capable, it's that he's painted himself into a corner and can't stay at Marquette and quickly turn this around without betraying all the trust he's built up.
And no, we didn't pursue Owen Freeman or any other transfers. We haven't seriously pursued a D1 transfer in years.
I think "betraying trust" is an overstatement. Ben Steele said in his article that he expects a couple of players to transfer after the season and Shaka has not said he would never use the portal. Shaka has given the guys he recruited every chance in the world to succeed. He's already favored them over players in the portal. So giving them years to show what they have before telling them they won't be playing in the future at MU is not betraying any trust IMO.
Quote from: Vander Blue Man Group on December 25, 2025, 09:01:06 AMWe were ranked in the top 5 last season.
preseason #18. Made it to # 5 early December . Still top 10 early January. Overrated, but no one is complaining! Started to slide from there...#25 heading into the BET. Unranked the week after. 1st rd ncaa exit. You know the rest.
Quote from: Zog from Margo on December 25, 2025, 11:03:57 AMI think "betraying trust" is an overstatement. Ben Steele said in his article that he expects a couple of players to transfer after the season and Shaka has not said he would never use the portal. Shaka has given the guys he recruited every chance in the world to succeed. He's already favored them over players in the portal. So giving them years to show what they have before telling them they won't be playing in the future at MU is not betraying any trust IMO.
100% correct. Especially in this climate. It's time to get some freaking ballers with an array or skills and weapons at their disposal.
Quote from: MarquetteMike1977 on December 25, 2025, 03:20:37 AMThe current players might like Shaka but have heard some former players are upset with Shaka.
Source?
Quote from: jesmu84 on December 25, 2025, 12:59:11 PMSource?
Somebody whispered it in his ear. Just like somebody whispered that Nolan's dream school was MU but we don't have the money for him and that Nolan's family says that MU needs more than just Nolan.
Quote from: Elonsmusk on December 24, 2025, 08:45:07 AMWell the good news is for a measured guy like you (who apparently isn't off the rails) and who formerly preached patience, and gave Wojo 5 years - Shaka will have 5 years to show that he's getting things on the right "trajectory." He, far more than a guy like Wojo, should get 5 years, since he's already accomplished a crap ton at MU in his first 4 years.
So, lets call this Year 1 of Wojo, essentially. To argue Shaka has to fix it in one year is silly - much like you, TAMU and other Projos suggested needing to give Wojo time to improve versus firing him after 1 or 2 years - and he didn't even have any skins on the wall for credentials of a Final Four, Sweet 16, 4 straight NCAAs at MU out of the gate before tailing off.
Look. Shaka has accomplished infinitely more than Wojo. He's a better coach. He's a better developer of talent. I prefer him as a representative of the university. I relate to him a lot more.
But we're staring at a year that would be significantly worse than Wojo's first two years. We might be the worst power conference team in the nation this year. If he has another one next year, he should be fired. If they improve a lot next year and but are still bad, I'd give him another year to show he's back on track. But this is an insanely bad team. And he's responsible for it.
I like Shaka a lot and hope he's here a long time, but he needs to do better than whatever the hell this is.
Quote from: Zog from Margo on December 25, 2025, 11:03:57 AMI think "betraying trust" is an overstatement. Ben Steele said in his article that he expects a couple of players to transfer after the season and Shaka has not said he would never use the portal. Shaka has given the guys he recruited every chance in the world to succeed. He's already favored them over players in the portal. So giving them years to show what they have before telling them they won't be playing in the future at MU is not betraying any trust IMO.
Outstanding post.
Shaka is great at talking to people, and he's a very persuasive gentleman.
I truly believe he would be able to convince the majority of folks who matter (current players and their parents, and recruits and their parents) that RGV is still a thing at MU ... even if some current players are "encouraged" to leave, and even if the portal is used the way programs such as Purdue, Gonzaga and MSU do.
I hope Shaka does that and I think he will, but obviously none of us know what he actually will do after this season.
Quote from: BM1090 on December 25, 2025, 02:00:34 PMLook. Shaka has accomplished infinitely more than Wojo. He's a better coach. He's a better developer of talent. I prefer him as a representative of the university. I relate to him a lot more.
But we're staring at a year that would be significantly worse than Wojo's first two years. We might be the worst power conference team in the nation this year. If he has another one next year, he should be fired. If they improve a lot next year and but are still bad, I'd give him another year to show he's back on track. But this is an insanely bad team. And he's responsible for it.
I like Shaka a lot and hope he's here a long time, but he needs to do better than whatever the hell this is.
I'm astounded some people can't comprehend the context with which I wrote my post suggesting Shaka should have 5 years to get us back on the right "trajectory" I just found it ironic that the Scooper who preached patience with Wojo (Brewcity77) for 5 years, when Wojo had accomplished ZERO at MU or elsehwere as a Head Coach - is flat out pissed off and thinks Shaka should have a warm seat for his first bad season at MU, AFTER doing a very good job at MU the first 4 years. Get it?
I don't think it will take Shaka 5 years to turn it around, but for you or other Scoopers who thought my post suggesting he should get 5 years was crazy - then those same Scoopers sure AF had a weird double and different standard for Wojo..who hadn't done squat at MU and preached patience for 5 years.
If Shaka chooses to stay at MU he will get things turned around within a couple of years max. But, I wouldn't blame him for leaving for a Power 4 job at a school with better donor base. The way our fanbase has turned on him astounds me after what he's accomplished here having come into a program that hadn't won a tournament game in 10 years.
Quote from: wadesworld on December 25, 2025, 01:11:32 PMSomebody whispered it in his ear. Just like somebody whispered that Nolan's dream school was MU but we don't have the money for him and that Nolan's family says that MU needs more than just Nolan.
To be fair, he was fooled by a twitter account
Quote from: Zog from Margo on December 25, 2025, 11:03:57 AMI think "betraying trust" is an overstatement. Ben Steele said in his article that he expects a couple of players to transfer after the season and Shaka has not said he would never use the portal. Shaka has given the guys he recruited every chance in the world to succeed. He's already favored them over players in the portal. So giving them years to show what they have before telling them they won't be playing in the future at MU is not betraying any trust IMO.
Has Shaka said word for word "I'll never use the portal."? No. But all this is fantasy talk.
Go back and read the Marquette Magazine article. The Athletic puff piece. Or pretty much any article about Marquette and the portal where Shaka is quoted the last 3 years.
Public comments about prioritizing guys who've worn the jersey, about not recruiting over guys with the portal, about the NBA being the only place guys leave Marquette early for, all this has made it clear that Shaka has told all these guys he'll stand by them and RGV. I mean, he overhauled the Spirit Shop and website with RGV gear. Does anyone really believe he isn't telling recruits the stuff he's telling the New York Times?
Quote from: Elonsmusk on December 25, 2025, 05:36:31 PMI'm astounded some people can't comprehend the context with which I wrote my post suggesting Shaka should have 5 years to get us back on the right "trajectory" I just found it ironic that the Scooper who preached patience with Wojo (Brewcity77) for 5 years, when Wojo had accomplished ZERO at MU or elsehwere as a Head Coach - is flat out pissed off and thinks Shaka should have a warm seat for his first bad season at MU, AFTER doing a very good job at MU the first 4 years. Get it?
I don't think it will take Shaka 5 years to turn it around, but for you or other Scoopers who thought my post suggesting he should get 5 years was crazy - then those same Scoopers sure AF had a weird double and different standard for Wojo..who hadn't done squat at MU and preached patience for 5 years.
If Shaka chooses to stay at MU he will get things turned around within a couple of years max. But, I wouldn't blame him for leaving for a Power 4 job at a school with better donor base. The way our fanbase has turned on him astounds me after what he's accomplished here having come into a program that hadn't won a tournament game in 10 years.
You think you have your finger on the pulse of the MU fanbase,.............you don't.
Quote from: Elonsmusk on December 25, 2025, 05:36:31 PMI'm astounded some people can't comprehend the context with which I wrote my post suggesting Shaka should have 5 years to get us back on the right "trajectory" I just found it ironic that the Scooper who preached patience with Wojo (Brewcity77) for 5 years, when Wojo had accomplished ZERO at MU or elsehwere as a Head Coach - is flat out pissed off and thinks Shaka should have a warm seat for his first bad season at MU, AFTER doing a very good job at MU the first 4 years. Get it?
I don't think it will take Shaka 5 years to turn it around, but for you or other Scoopers who thought my post suggesting he should get 5 years was crazy - then those same Scoopers sure AF had a weird double and different standard for Wojo..who hadn't done squat at MU and preached patience for 5 years.
If Shaka chooses to stay at MU he will get things turned around within a couple of years max. But, I wouldn't blame him for leaving for a Power 4 job at a school with better donor base. The way our fanbase has turned on him astounds me after what he's accomplished here having come into a program that hadn't won a tournament game in 10 years.
Has the fanbase really turned on him? This is a message board with a very small percentage of MU fans on it. And the vast majority say they want Shaka to stay while also saying this years results are unacceptable. Have you polled the fanbase?
This is a completely natural reaction to this level of losing. I'm sure Shaka, if he actually is aware of scoop and other fan boards, understands the dismay of the fanbase. I'm sure he is also disappointed things have gone so poorly with his recruiting over the last four years.
Overall, I guess I'm not sure what you are talking about when you say you wouldn't be surprised if he left because of how fast the fanbase has turned on him. The fanbase expects better and they should. Whether you want it to be or not it is a very proud program, with a very proud fanbase. I'm sure Shaka takes pride in that fact and takes it very seriously. I'm pretty sure if he could address the fan base directly he would take responsibility and promise to get this fixed ASAP.
Now if your assumption is right that he failed to get recruits based on lack of funding I get your point. If I were him, I'd leave for a P4 program too, However, I'm not sure that you are correct on that point.
Elon - You think that Shaka will get
" a couple of years " to turn it around after this ( soon to be ) 20 loss season?? lol
So, they will be " better " by spring of 2028 ?
Prez Kimo is clueless. And Broeker has been a career No. 2 guy for a reason, but if this goes on thru next year, the real donors will crush them, the Fiserv will be a ghost town, and the BOT will have to go into witness protection. They would be absolutely forced to can him if next year is a similar debacle.
Quote from: Mu8891 on December 25, 2025, 10:22:48 PMElon - You think that Shaka will get
" a couple of years " to turn it around after this ( soon to be ) 20 loss season?? lol
So, they will be " better " by spring of 2028 ?
Prez Kimo is clueless. And Broeker has been a career No. 2 guy for a reason, but if this goes on thru next year, the real donors will crush them, the Fiserv will be a ghost town, and the BOT will have to go into witness protection. They would be absolutely forced to can him if next year is a similar debacle.
It takes a special kind of arrogance to think any one person is bigger than the program and university.
After he leaves MU, Shaka will go to a top hoops school with a patient fanbase that doesn't mind 20-loss seasons. A chill, content fanbase such as Kentucky, UNC or Kansas, perhaps.
Quote from: brewcity77 on December 25, 2025, 07:56:53 PMHas Shaka said word for word "I'll never use the portal."? No. But all this is fantasy talk.
Go back and read the Marquette Magazine article. The Athletic puff piece. Or pretty much any article about Marquette and the portal where Shaka is quoted the last 3 years.
Public comments about prioritizing guys who've worn the jersey, about not recruiting over guys with the portal, about the NBA being the only place guys leave Marquette early for, all this has made it clear that Shaka has told all these guys he'll stand by them and RGV. I mean, he overhauled the Spirit Shop and website with RGV gear. Does anyone really believe he isn't telling recruits the stuff he's telling the New York Times?
He's done all of that already. He's given his recruits what he promised: a CHANCE to grow and preference over transfers. That doesn't mean they are guaranteed minutes or guaranteed spots in the rotation. Good Lord, can Lowery and Norman actually say they weren't given the full opportunity to grow and secure starting spots? There's nothing in "RGV" that guarantees minutes. Can you actually argue that Shaka's recruits haven't had more of an opportunity to succeed coming in as frosh than the vast majority of programs would provide? Do you think any recruit comes into a program thinking they'll continue to start and play major minutes if the program is going down the crapper? If recruits don't grow, Shaka has no need to apologize for letting them know that's the case. Shaka made some serious recruiting mistakes. He will not be selling his soul if he tells players they will not get PT at MU in the future if that's an honest assessment.
Quote from: MU82 on December 25, 2025, 11:15:43 PMAfter he leaves MU, Shaka will go to a top hoops school with a patient fanbase that doesn't mind 20-loss seasons. A chill, content fanbase such as Kentucky, UNC or Kansas, perhaps.
Yep, no doubt MU fans should have the same expectations as those fans at Kentucky, UNC, or Kansas.
Quote from: WhiteTrash on December 25, 2025, 10:31:06 PMIt takes a special kind of arrogance to think any one person is bigger than the program and university.
So you think at non-blueblood schools like MU, that "the program and university" are what make it a winner, and NOT who the head coach of the university and program are? Why could Buzz Williams turnaround a Virginia Tech program that was floundering? Why is St. John's good again? Why couldn't Wojo win an NCAA tournament game in 7 years at MU?
This isn't about arrogance, its about leverage. Both parties, in the case of MU, have leverage due to MU generally spending a lot on basketball, and having a large fanbase - and Shaka has the leverage of MU struggling as a program for 10 years prior to his arrival.
My view is simply that Shaka has more leverage. Should MU can him if he has another bad season next year, I suspect there is more downside risk on the MU side of not getting a better coach.
Quote from: Zog from Margo on December 26, 2025, 12:08:29 AMHe's done all of that already. He's given his recruits what he promised: a CHANCE to grow and preference over transfers. That doesn't mean they are guaranteed minutes or guaranteed spots in the rotation. Good Lord, can Lowery and Norman actually say they weren't given the full opportunity to grow and secure starting spots? There's nothing in "RGV" that guarantees minutes. Can you actually argue that Shaka's recruits haven't had more of an opportunity to succeed coming in as frosh than the vast majority of programs would provide? Do you think any recruit comes into a program thinking they'll continue to start and play major minutes if the program is going down the crapper? If recruits don't grow, Shaka has no need to apologize for letting them know that's the case. Shaka made some serious recruiting mistakes. He will not be selling his soul if he tells players they will not get PT at MU in the future if that's an honest assessment.
Correct. The moral conclusions people have drawn about Shaka because poor on court basketball results is hilarious. Suddenly he's a fraud who goes against everything he's ever said if he pivots his strategy? He's ignorant and has too big of an ego to ever adjust or listen to advice?
And no, I don't have any idea what Shaka is telling his players, their families, potential recruits, etc. behind closed doors. Nor do I think what Shaka says at the podium to the world is what the locker room message is.
Some people take basketball results way too personally.
Quote from: Elonsmusk on December 26, 2025, 09:29:41 AMYep, no doubt MU fans should have the same expectations as those fans at Kentucky, UNC, or Kansas.
Not producing the worst season in four decades = same expectations as Kentucky?
Hmmm.
QuoteSo you think at non-blueblood schools like MU, that "the program and university" are what make it a winner, and NOT who the head coach of the university and program are? Why could Buzz Williams turnaround a Virginia Tech program that was floundering? Why is St. John's good again? Why couldn't Wojo win an NCAA tournament game in 7 years at MU?
This isn't about arrogance, its about leverage. Both parties, in the case of MU, have leverage due to MU generally spending a lot on basketball, and having a large fanbase - and Shaka has the leverage of MU struggling as a program for 10 years prior to his arrival.
My view is simply that Shaka has more leverage. Should MU can him if he has another bad season next year, I suspect there is more downside risk on the MU side of not getting a better coach.
You're conflating the necessity of making good hires with your stance that Marquette would be set adrift in the college basketball wasteland without Shaka.
Of course programs need to make good hires. That's true everywhere, even the bluebloods (see: UNC and Matt Doherty; UCLA and Steve Lavin; Kentucky and Billy Gillespie).
But if Shaka were to leave, Marquette could find another coach to successfully run the program. He's not uniquely gifted. I know this to be true because Marquette has had coaches successfully run the program before Shaka.
Yes, St. John's is better today because Pitino is a better coach than guys who'd never been head coaches before (Chris Mullin, Norm Roberts) and guys who washed out elsewhere (Steve Lavin, Mike Anderson). Those were bad hires. When they made a better hire (Mike Jarvis) they fared much better and produced similar results to what Pitino is producing now (four tourneys in six years, two seasons ranked in top 10 at the end of the year, and a BE championship).
And do you honestly believe a coach who produces back-to-back losing seasons, including at least one historically bad losing season, has leverage? Is Shaka waling into Broeker's office and saying, "I dare you to find another coach who can finish at the bottom of the Big East two years running!"
Quote from: ghostofcorms77 on December 23, 2025, 12:05:27 PMNobody said it would take that level of a job. The rumor posted on discord was Pitt.
Shaka would be a good fit at several schools still. He could say he's willing to change, but also still be ideal for a school with less investment, that needs to abide by a more Shaka-esque approach.
The issue at play today, is not that Shaka is terrible with X's and O's. It's that he leveraged everything on an unorthodox approach that could set us back 3 years, when that never had to be the case. He chose this.
And I know people will respond by saying, why not here? I'd simply say, he'd rather have job security, rather than have to interview on 2 consecutive losing seasons, after being fired.
It's always been about dominating the PR for Shaka. That's not going to change.
In the current landscape no team is set back three years. Not ever.
Quote from: Hards Alumni on December 26, 2025, 10:42:20 AMIn the current landscape no team is set back three years. Not ever.
Not taking transfers would be one way.
Quote from: JTJ3 on December 23, 2025, 04:28:48 PMThe Otz talk is the same reason Campbell left, NIL and Rev Share resources. Iowa State is having major issues with it right now. Otz was ready to leave due to it last offseason.
I'm not saying Otz would come home, but he has the Milwaukee connections so it makes sense. And he'd have more resources here to work with. He would be the first call.
TJO would have his bags packed Friday night if offered the Marquette job Friday afternoon.
Quote from: panda on December 26, 2025, 10:44:40 AMNot taking transfers would be one way.
I see you're picking up what I'm putting down.
Quote from: Elonsmusk on December 26, 2025, 09:29:41 AMYep, no doubt MU fans should have the same expectations as those fans at Kentucky, UNC, or Kansas.
So you think at non-blueblood schools like MU, that "the program and university" are what make it a winner, and NOT who the head coach of the university and program are? Why could Buzz Williams turnaround a Virginia Tech program that was floundering? Why is St. John's good again? Why couldn't Wojo win an NCAA tournament game in 7 years at MU?
This isn't about arrogance, its about leverage. Both parties, in the case of MU, have leverage due to MU generally spending a lot on basketball, and having a large fanbase - and Shaka has the leverage of MU struggling as a program for 10 years prior to his arrival.
My view is simply that Shaka has more leverage. Should MU can him if he has another bad season next year, I suspect there is more downside risk on the MU side of not getting a better coach.
You're the one who thinks Shaka could leave Marquette after two disastrous seasons (if next season is similar to this one) and hand-pick the next job that he wants, even with a blueblood.
Like most Scoopers, I really like Shaka. Like most Scoopers, I want it to work out fantastically for him at Marquette. But like most Scoopers, I believe he has to produce. He has had some great past accomplishments here, and I loved them, and I traveled great distances to experience many of them in person, and I appreciate them to this day.
In investing, what a stock did over the last year, 3 years, 5 years is swell, but it's all about what you think the stock will do over the next year, 3 years, 5 years. Same with college coaching.
I had high hopes for the recruit-develop-retain philosophy, and I was really rooting for it to succeed. But we now see it cannot succeed at Marquette with the caliber of athlete that the coach has been able to bring in. If he can't or won't realize that and make the necessary changes, as much as the vast majority of Scoopers like him and despite his past accomplishments, he has to go. That's College Coaching 101, from bluebloods all the way down to MAAC schools.
And if it came down to it, Marquette obviously could find a coach who does as well as or better than what Shaka has done at our alma mater. The two coaches we had from 1999-2014 combined for one Final Four, one Elite Eight, two Sweet Sixteens, nine NCAA tournament appearances, and two conference titles. There's every reason to believe that the person or people who coach Marquette from, say, 2027-2042 - whoever he or they might be, including Shaka - could do similar. Especially since it's much easier today to build a winner quickly than it was in 1999.
Quote from: Elonsmusk on December 26, 2025, 09:29:41 AMYep, no doubt MU fans should have the same expectations as those fans at Kentucky, UNC, or Kansas.
So you think at non-blueblood schools like MU, that "the program and university" are what make it a winner, and NOT who the head coach of the university and program are? Why could Buzz Williams turnaround a Virginia Tech program that was floundering? Why is St. John's good again? Why couldn't Wojo win an NCAA tournament game in 7 years at MU?
This isn't about arrogance, its about leverage. Both parties, in the case of MU, have leverage due to MU generally spending a lot on basketball, and having a large fanbase - and Shaka has the leverage of MU struggling as a program for 10 years prior to his arrival.
My view is simply that Shaka has more leverage. Should MU can him if he has another bad season next year, I suspect there is more downside risk on the MU side of not getting a better coach.
Elon,
This isn't your average bad season. It's not a lot of fun as a fan to know that your season is over at the end of Thanksgiving weekend. If we are a total non-factor next year, there is a zero percent chance Shaka is here in '27-28. We literally can't be worse this year, especially with our pedigree. Again, no one would be this depressed/upset if we were in the mix for an NIT berth. This situation is entirely different and it just can't happen. Regardless of our last 3 years of success.
Quote from: Hards Alumni on December 26, 2025, 10:47:18 AMTJO would have his bags packed Friday night if offered the Marquette job Friday afternoon.
I'm not that confident, but he would definitely pick up our call. I have no doubts about that.
Quote from: MuggsyB on December 26, 2025, 11:03:21 AMElon,
This isn't your average bad season. It's not a lot of fun as a fan to know that your season is over at the end of Thanksgiving weekend. If we are a total non-factor next year, there is a zero percent chance Shaka is here in '27-28. We literally can't be worse this year, especially with our pedigree. Again, no one would be this depressed/upset if we were in the mix for an NIT berth. This situation is entirely different and it just can't happen. Regardless of our last 3 years of success.
It is becoming obvious that Elon is primarily just trying to push people's buttons.
Shaka has no idea or interest in the average fan's opinions. You don't become a P5 coach by reading message boards or listening to sports radio, maybe at all.
Shaka and the players all know this is results based professional sports. The concept that they are all oblivious to jobs being at risk is laughable. And, Shaka and his agent are 10X more aware of what this season is doing to his marketability than we do.
IMHO, I'd be shocked if Shaka doesn't change his strategy and is back to winning at MU.
Quote from: WhiteTrash on December 26, 2025, 02:57:05 PMIt is becoming obvious that Elon is primarily just trying to push people's buttons.
Shaka has no idea or interest in the average fan's opinions. You don't become a P5 coach by reading message boards or listening to sports radio, maybe at all.
Shaka and the players all know this is results based professional sports. The concept that they are all oblivious to jobs being at risk is laughable. And, Shaka and his agent are 10X more aware of what this season is doing to his marketability than we do.
IMHO, I'd be shocked if Shaka doesn't change his strategy and is back to winning at MU.
That is probably why he said he wishes his players would all throw their phones in the lake.
Quote from: WhiteTrash on December 26, 2025, 02:57:05 PMIt is becoming obvious that Elon is primarily just trying to push people's buttons.
Shaka has no idea or interest in the average fan's opinions. You don't become a P5 coach by reading message boards or listening to sports radio, maybe at all.
Shaka and the players all know this is results based professional sports. The concept that they are all oblivious to jobs being at risk is laughable. And, Shaka and his agent are 10X more aware of what this season is doing to his marketability than we do.
IMHO, I'd be shocked if Shaka doesn't change his strategy and is back to winning at MU.
I generally agree. But I think we clearly need a major roster upgrade, which includes immediate impact portal guys. I have no doubt Shaka will alter his strategy, but it would mean a bunch of guys essentially being dismissed. This is the part that could be tricky.
We can build around Nigel and Adrien. I'd like to see them play heavy mins with few restrictions. After that I like Phillips' J and perhaps Owens can turn the corner. Royce is a total enigma to me. I think we have to see how he progresses the rest of the year. The tiny bit of good news is we have ZERO pressure on us to win games now. I would probably play Clark a lot more as well. We have Gargantuan/Mammoth probs right now. But we all know things can change quickly with added ballers/pieces.
Quote from: MuggsyB on December 26, 2025, 03:59:06 PMI generally agree. But I think we clearly need a major roster upgrade, which includes immediate impact portal guys. I have no doubt Shaka will alter his strategy, but it would mean a bunch of guys essentially being dismissed. This is the part that could be tricky.
We can build around Nigel and Adrien. I'd like to see them play heavy mins with few restrictions. After that I like Phillips' J and perhaps Owens can turn the corner. Royce is a total enigma to me. I think we have to see how he progresses the rest of the year. The tiny bit of good news is we have ZERO pressure on us to win games now. I would probably play Clark a lot more as well. We have Gargantuan/Mammoth probs right now. But we all know things can change quickly with added ballers/pieces.
I agree the roster needs a major upgrade, so I think the most encouraging sign Shaka is back in the game will be his success in retaining the best young players. I think it will be a real test of his recruiting chops.
Quote from: WhiteTrash on December 26, 2025, 04:49:32 PMI agree the roster needs a major upgrade, so I think the most encouraging sign Shaka is back in the game will be his success in retaining the best young players. I think it will be a real test of his recruiting chops.
I basically agree with whatever Scooper suggested "The Painter Model". First and foremost we of course need guys that can hoop. If you whiff on recruits with our model, as Shaka has, it puts you in an untenable position. Cluff obviously would help us. A number of guys would help us frankly. Shaka apparently didn't think that was the case, or was too enamored with not using the portal.
I will give Shaka the benefit of the doubt for now but we absolutely have to hard pivot. It's non-negotiable IMHO. If players have to be shown the door? So be it. My blood pressure has increased since we were annihilated by IU. Not good. On a side note, don't ever trust medical apps for blood pressure. I don't, but was astounded how inaccurate it was for me when I gave it a whirl. Pretty much a Giant Red Flag when it read my stress level was low and congrats. I wonder if they can be sued for malpractice?
Quote from: MU82 on December 26, 2025, 10:56:26 AMYou're the one who thinks Shaka could leave Marquette after two disastrous seasons (if next season is similar to this one) and hand-pick the next job that he wants, even with a blueblood.
Like most Scoopers, I really like Shaka. Like most Scoopers, I want it to work out fantastically for him at Marquette. But like most Scoopers, I believe he has to produce. He has had some great past accomplishments here, and I loved them, and I traveled great distances to experience many of them in person, and I appreciate them to this day.
In investing, what a stock did over the last year, 3 years, 5 years is swell, but it's all about what you think the stock will do over the next year, 3 years, 5 years. Same with college coaching.
I had high hopes for the recruit-develop-retain philosophy, and I was really rooting for it to succeed. But we now see it cannot succeed at Marquette with the caliber of athlete that the coach has been able to bring in. If he can't or won't realize that and make the necessary changes, as much as the vast majority of Scoopers like him and despite his past accomplishments, he has to go. That's College Coaching 101, from bluebloods all the way down to MAAC schools.
And if it came down to it, Marquette obviously could find a coach who does as well as or better than what Shaka has done at our alma mater. The two coaches we had from 1999-2014 combined for one Final Four, one Elite Eight, two Sweet Sixteens, nine NCAA tournament appearances, and two conference titles. There's every reason to believe that the person or people who coach Marquette from, say, 2027-2042 - whoever he or they might be, including Shaka - could do similar. Especially since it's much easier today to build a winner quickly than it was in 1999.
Spot on. I think shaka will feel some pressure to change his approach after this season. And am hopeful, honest conversations are being had with 3 to 4 players about their roster viability next year. Thereby leading to some new players onto the roster next year. Also shaka was pretty much asked to leave at TX, if he is asked to leave at mu in the next year or two (and leaving behind his $3m salary),....would another school be willing to pay him a $3m plus salary? I understand there would be some buyout cash.
I'm not so sure, and wondering if he and his agent talk about this scenario and the need to significantly improve next year.
Quote from: MarquetteMike1977 on December 25, 2025, 03:20:37 AMThe current players might like Shaka but have heard some former players are upset with Shaka.
Of course the current players like Shaka. Under his regime they are collecting a decent chunk of cash despite most of them lacking high major talent. I'd love Shaka too if I were Caedin Hamilton..
Quote from: Captain Quette on December 26, 2025, 08:06:01 PMSpot on. I think shaka will feel some pressure to change his approach after this season. And am hopeful, honest conversations are being had with 3 to 4 players about their roster viability next year. Thereby leading to some new players onto the roster next year. Also shaka was pretty much asked to leave at TX, if he is asked to leave at mu in the next year or two (and leaving behind his $3m salary),....would another school be willing to pay him a $3m plus salary? I understand there would be some buyout cash.
I'm not so sure, and wondering if he and his agent talk about this scenario and the need to significantly improve next year.
I highly doubt Shaka is discussing next year's roster with this year's roster.......in December.
!'q1qw
Quote from: We R Final Four on December 27, 2025, 12:34:43 PMI highly doubt Shaka is discussing next year's roster with this year's roster.......in December.
If he is then he should be fired.
Quote from: MuggsyB on December 26, 2025, 03:59:06 PMI generally agree. But I think we clearly need a major roster upgrade, which includes immediate impact portal guys. I have no doubt Shaka will alter his strategy, but it would mean a bunch of guys essentially being dismissed. This is the part that could be tricky.
We can build around Nigel and Adrien. I'd like to see them play heavy mins with few restrictions. After that I like Phillips' J and perhaps Owens can turn the corner. Royce is a total enigma to me. I think we have to see how he progresses the rest of the year. The tiny bit of good news is we have ZERO pressure on us to win games now. I would probably play Clark a lot more as well. We have Gargantuan/Mammoth probs right now. But we all know things can change quickly with added ballers/pieces.
You're assuming that players like James and Stevens won't be poached by other teams who sell them (and their agents) on the prospect of playing for a winning team instead of one needing a major overhaul just to be competitive.
Why? Has already far more success at Iowa State? Can get a way better job than Marquette. Would love to have him if there was any chance.
Quote from: Hards Alumni on December 26, 2025, 10:47:18 AMTJO would have his bags packed Friday night if offered the Marquette job Friday afternoon.
Quote from: tower912 on December 27, 2025, 02:04:01 PM!'q1qwIf he is then he should be fired.
100%, he should be having these discussions, why not? Talk to a player about his abilities or lack thereof, in the context of playing time and areas of improvement. Start the path to roster change asap.
Should be fired....this sounds like RGV hyperbole and is not realistic in Div 1 basketball. Let's also hand out participation trophies and have group hugs after every 20 point loss.
Not in December. In December, with his players, should still be focused on the season at hand and how these players can get better. The time for discussing next season with the players is after this season.
Quote from: tower912 on December 28, 2025, 08:59:54 AMNot in December. In December, with his players, should still be focused on the season at hand and how these players can get better. The time for discussing next season with the players is after this season.
Just going to split hairs here, but Shaka may need to engage some players before March if they are thinking of leaving.
Explain that scenario.
Agents and players are likely being approached by representatives of schools and coaches outside of the program. Don't want to be blind sided at the end of the year.
Quote from: wisblue on December 27, 2025, 08:19:42 PMYou're assuming that players like James and Stevens won't be poached by other teams who sell them (and their agents) on the prospect of playing for a winning team instead of one needing a major overhaul just to be competitive.
I'm not assuming anything. I understand the current climate of college hoops. If they choose to leave or are poached? Then find guys that can immediately hoop. It is what it is. Coaches have shown they can bring in 5-7 guys and be successful. And quickly. What cannot happen is another season close to what we're seeing right now.
Prediction: If Shaka is back at Marquette for next season, Nigel James will be, too.
Quote from: MU82 on December 28, 2025, 04:53:47 PMPrediction: If Shaka is back at Marquette for next season, Nigel James will be, too.
And Shaka will bring in transfers.
I've been critical this year for many reasons. The lack of growth, the inability to manage lineups, the misevaluation of talent, and so many poor in game coaching decisions, but I truly empathize with Shaka here. His entire theory of the case, the worldview he built his program around, has been completely shattered in two months time. That can't be easy to deal with or come to grips with.
Quote from: brewcity77 on December 28, 2025, 05:49:59 PMI've been critical this year for many reasons. The lack of growth, the inability to manage lineups, the misevaluation of talent, and so many poor in game coaching decisions, but I truly empathize with Shaka here. His entire theory of the case, the worldview he built his program around, has been completely shattered in two months time. That can't be easy to deal with or come to grips with.
I find it hard to believe that a coach with Shaka's intelligence and resume is surprised by the performance. That take is a serious criticism of Shaka.
Quote from: tower912 on December 26, 2025, 03:53:38 PMThat is probably why he said he wishes his players would all throw their phones in the lake.
Yeah, but the way things are going, wrong lake...
The legend lives on from the Chippewa on down, of the big lake they call Gitche Gumee.
Quote from: Zog from Margo on December 25, 2025, 11:03:57 AMI think "betraying trust" is an overstatement. Ben Steele said in his article that he expects a couple of players to transfer after the season and Shaka has not said he would never use the portal. Shaka has given the guys he recruited every chance in the world to succeed. He's already favored them over players in the portal. So giving them years to show what they have before telling them they won't be playing in the future at MU is not betraying any trust IMO.
Concluding some terms with a couple of Steele firms...
Quote from: brewcity77 on December 28, 2025, 05:49:59 PMI've been critical this year for many reasons. The lack of growth, the inability to manage lineups, the misevaluation of talent, and so many poor in game coaching decisions, but I truly empathize with Shaka here. His entire theory of the case, the worldview he built his program around, has been completely shattered in two months time. That can't be easy to deal with or come to grips with.
His theory of the case wasn't the problem. He didn't recruit well enough to prove the theory. His failure to recognize his recruiting mistakes until now exacerbated that problem. In any event, this season is an epic failure and that can't be easy for any coach.
Ether view is an embarrassment for Shaka
Either he did not realize how uncompetitive and terrible his roster is .. OR ... he DID recognize it, and decided to double or triple down on RGV and just ride into the season anyway.
Which one is it ?
Quote from: WhiteTrash on December 28, 2025, 11:44:47 AMJust going to split hairs here, but Shaka may need to engage some players before March if they are thinking of leaving.
Why? The first day the portal is open for MBB is March 23. Our season will have been over for two weeks by that point. That's plenty of time for end-of-the-year meetings and escorting guys to the compliance office to fill out the portal docs.
Quote from: Billy Hoyle on December 29, 2025, 08:34:08 AMWhy? The first day the portal is open for MBB is March 23. Our season will have been over for two weeks by that point. That's plenty of time for end-of-the-year meetings and escorting guys to the compliance office to fill out the portal docs.
I'm not going to fight this, and I could be wrong, but I was only pointing out that it maybe beneficial to (re)recruit the best players earlier than later.
Quote from: Billy Hoyle on December 29, 2025, 08:34:08 AMWhy? The first day the portal is open for MBB is March 23. Our season will have been over for two weeks by that point. That's plenty of time for end-of-the-year meetings and escorting guys to the compliance office to fill out the portal docs.
#FakeNews #Lies
The portal is open now. You're speaking on the notification-of-transfer window; however, there's a proposal likely to be approved in January that will result in the window starting on April 7, NOT in March.
Quote from: WhiteTrash on December 29, 2025, 09:14:20 AMI'm not going to fight this, and I could be wrong, but I was only pointing out that it maybe beneficial to (re)recruit the best players earlier than later.
apologies for misreading your post. I was viewing it as Shaka telling guys who might be thinking about entering to do so now. Unfortunately, coaches have to spend significant time rerecruiting their own players throughout the season.
Quote from: Mu8891 on December 29, 2025, 08:28:25 AMEther view is an embarrassment for Shaka
Either he did not realize how uncompetitive and terrible his roster is .. OR ... he DID recognize it, and decided to double or triple down on RGV and just ride into the season anyway.
Which one is it ?
It's a little bit of the first one and bit of something else: hubris.
High off their success developing the previous wave of players, I think Shaka and his staff believed too much that they found some secret sauce. It shows in how they recruited the 2022-2024 classes ... bringing in a bunch of toolsy players high on traits (length, size, athleticism, speed) but low on skill. They convinced themselves they could RGV those tools into high-major basketball players and are finding out the hard way.
Quote from: Billy Hoyle on December 29, 2025, 09:26:06 AMapologies for misreading your post. I was viewing it as Shaka telling guys who might be thinking about entering to do so now. Unfortunately, coaches have to spend significant time rerecruiting their own players throughout the season.
Understood. The dicey part is going to be communicating to the "keepers" that he will be upgrading the roster via transfers without causing rumors to spread within the team. Not easy or enviable, but it is a situation he is responsible for and I really do think he is a good leader that can manage it.
Of course all of this is predicated on the assumption Shaka will come back. I am less certain every day he will. Shaka knew this was going to happen. He's too good of a coach not to have seen what his talent level is.
Quote from: Pakuni on December 29, 2025, 09:28:00 AMIt's a little bit of the first one and bit of something else: hubris.
High off their success developing the previous wave of players, I think Shaka and his staff believed too much that they found some secret sauce. It shows in how they recruited the 2022-2024 classes ... bringing in a bunch of toolsy players high on traits (length, size, athleticism, speed) but low on skill. They convinced themselves they could RGV those tools into high-major basketball players and are finding out the hard way.
Do we really think Shaka and his staff saw these players over the past 1-3 years and felt that they were BE quality players? Shaka has coached FF, AP Top 10 teams and NBA talent players for a long time, but we are to believe this is a surprise to him?
Either we have way over rated Shaka as a coach or there is something else at play.
Personally , I can't ignore Shaka's actual resume. IMO he's damn good.
Quote from: WhiteTrash on December 29, 2025, 10:08:40 AMDo we really think Shaka and his staff saw these players over the past 1-3 years and felt that they were BE quality players? Shaka has coached FF, AP Top 10 teams and NBA talent players for a long time, but we are to believe this is a surprise to him?
Either we have way over rated Shaka as a coach or there is something else at play.
Personally , I can't ignore Shaka's actual resume. IMO he's damn good.
I think he believed they could turn them into Big East players. I think he saw the previous wave of players (Kam, Oso, Stevie, TK, OMax, etc.) steadily improve over their time at Marquette and thought the next wave would follow suit - as did a whole lot of people around here.
His mistake/miscalculation was in the type of player he had in the first wave and didn't have in the second. With the exception of OMax, that first group all arrived at MU with a set of discernible basketball skills - TK has high-end basketball IQ; Kam is a natural bucket-getter; Oso has great handles and passing for a big man; Stevie has great defensive skills and instincts; and even Jop had offensive skills.
What can/do we say about the next wave? Chase and Zaide can jump. Sean Jones is fast. Caedin is thick. Josh Clark is tall. DO is long and athletic. Tre has size for a guard. Al Amadou is long and springy.
Where are the high-end skills and instincts? They don't exist.
The two guys who supposedly arrived withskill - Ben Gold's shooting and Royce Parnham's scoring - are below average at those skills.
I suspect Shaka believed he and his staff could develop skills in these guys and was terribly mistaken. Is he surprised by the results of this season? I have no idea. But I think he's surprised by the lack of development from these players.
I'd show Shaka the door if he lost a fight to Zaide. Like Al with the lobsters, I only want winners.
There are rebuilding seasons (which many would have been fine with) and then there are bottom-falling-out disastrous seasons (which this very much is). When off-court issues begin to arise in conjunction with the on-court product, it can spell doom for the head coach.
I think the most alarming component of what will become of this season is that Shaka has never had a season like this in his career before (even including his 11-22 year at Texas, where they lost their last eight games). With how much went so drastically wrong so quickly, how can he and the program move forward without essentially hitting the reset button on a majority of the roster (and why should the individuals that recruited and saw potential talent with the current group - when they are so clearly overmatched and not skilled enough for this level - be entrusted to do the fixing)?
We have not felt the bottom of the season yet. The worst is yet to come (and the bad thus far has been really, really bad - both on and off the court).
Quote from: Pakuni on December 29, 2025, 10:33:04 AMI think he believed they could turn them into Big East players. I think he saw the previous wave of players (Kam, Oso, Stevie, TK, OMax, etc.) steadily improve over their time at Marquette and thought the next wave would follow suit - as did a whole lot of people around here.
His mistake/miscalculation was in the type of player he had in the first wave and didn't have in the second. With the exception of OMax, that first group all arrived at MU with a set of discernible basketball skills - TK has high-end basketball IQ; Kam is a natural bucket-getter; Oso has great handles and passing for a big man; Stevie has great defensive skills and instincts; and even Jop had offensive skills.
What can/do we say about the next wave? Chase and Zaide can jump. Sean Jones is fast. Caedin is thick. Josh Clark is tall. DO is long and athletic. Tre has size for a guard. Al Amadou is long and springy.
Where are the high-end skills and instincts? They don't exist.
The two guys who supposedly arrived withskill - Ben Gold's shooting and Royce Parnham's scoring - are below average at those skills.
I suspect Shaka believed he and his staff could develop skills in these guys and was terribly mistaken. Is he surprised by the results of this season? I have no idea. But I think he's surprised by the lack of development from these players.
I agree that Shaka appears surprised by the lack of development of the returning players. And sometimes it seems he is still trying to convince himself (and others) that his charges are better than they really are - a recent comment about how much better players they are in practice than in games was pretty telling IMHO.
As for skills ...
Ross is a very good athlete who as a sophomore and junior was a darn good defensive player and a competent bucket-getter who made some big baskets. For the first month of this season, he was leading the Big East in scoring, mostly by attacking the basket and either making driving shots or getting to the FT line. So I do think that he has skills and that he'd get lots of PT for almost any program out there, but it's difficult to showcase them when the opponent keys on you because the rest of the team is so limited. That was never a problem when he was the third, fourth or fifth option on a good team.
Gold is a streaky shooter. He has had long stretches - month-plus-long stretches - in which he has made more than 40% of his 3s. And also stretches in which he hasn't been able to buy a bucket. So it's maybe not the most reliable skill, but it is a skill that convinced at least one since-departed Scooper that he'd be an NBA player. Gold also has become a good defensive big when he's not told to chase guards 40 feet away from the basket.
I think opposing coaches would look at Parham and believe he'd be worth poaching because they would be confident in their ability to develop him as a scorer. He has shown many flashes during his 1.5 seasons, but he also disappears for long stretches.
And there is some evidence that Owens can be a bucket-getter. He has had a few (too damn few, but a few) stretches in which he has scored in bunches. Shaka probably saw him do that a lot in preseason practices, enough to think Owens would take the next step. I sure was hoping that would be the case, but it hasn't been.
Even if the above have Big East-level skills (and I allow plenty of room for debate on that), your overall point is well taken. The offensive and defensive systems Shaka runs requires skills that too many players he has brought in do not have. As has often been bemoaned on Scoop (for good reason), running a 3-pointer-centric offense without having several pure shooters available to spread the court is simply bad coaching, as much as it pains me to say it.
I like Shaka, and I hope he is willing to make adjustments so that he can turn things around next season. If there is a next season for him.
Golden - I agree. The worst is yet to come ... both on and off the court.
I expect more embarrassments. Wish there was a way to throw in the towel and pass on the next two months of this disaster
Like my pappy used to say, builds character.
Like Buzz used to say, reveals character.
It is a bad season. They happen. The only interesting things are how we react and what happens next.
Quote from: Mu8891 on December 29, 2025, 11:13:32 AMGolden - I agree. The worst is yet to come ... both on and off the court.
I expect more embarrassments. Wish there was a way to throw in the towel and pass on the next two months of this disaster
At least we know it and the process is already underway
Quote from: tower912 on December 29, 2025, 11:17:59 AMIt is a bad season. They happen. The only interesting are how we react and what happens next.
I think this sentence defines a core disconnect on Scoop.
IMO, a NET 80 rating is "a bad season". Maybe NET 120 rating due to injuries.
This has gone beyond just "a bad season". There seems to be structural problems with Shaka's program. Kyle Neptune didn't have this level of issues at Villanova. (17-17 was his bottom). Shaka has had time to build his program and this is where we are at?
Quote from: Pakuni on December 29, 2025, 10:33:04 AMI think he believed they could turn them into Big East players. I think he saw the previous wave of players (Kam, Oso, Stevie, TK, OMax, etc.) steadily improve over their time at Marquette and thought the next wave would follow suit - as did a whole lot of people around here.
His mistake/miscalculation was in the type of player he had in the first wave and didn't have in the second. With the exception of OMax, that first group all arrived at MU with a set of discernible basketball skills - TK has high-end basketball IQ; Kam is a natural bucket-getter; Oso has great handles and passing for a big man; Stevie has great defensive skills and instincts; and even Jop had offensive skills.
What can/do we say about the next wave? Chase and Zaide can jump. Sean Jones is fast. Caedin is thick. Josh Clark is tall. DO is long and athletic. Tre has size for a guard. Al Amadou is long and springy.
Where are the high-end skills and instincts? They don't exist.
The two guys who supposedly arrived withskill - Ben Gold's shooting and Royce Parnham's scoring - are below average at those skills.
I suspect Shaka believed he and his staff could develop skills in these guys and was terribly mistaken. Is he surprised by the results of this season? I have no idea. But I think he's surprised by the lack of development from these players.
So the conclusion is, we have way overrated Shaka's coaching ability?
Shaka and his staff could not identify the lake of growth of his own recruits, or willfully disregarded the signs? This would be an issue with a mid-major coach.
And I have other teams and other disaster seasons in other sports in my life that I have experienced. It is part of the fan experience. It sucks. It isn't personal and it isn't fatal. It isn't any fun, either.
Looking forward to seeing what comes next. Amazing learning and growth opportunities abound. For the players, for the coaches, for the fans.
Quote from: WhiteTrash on December 29, 2025, 11:54:19 AMSo the conclusion is, we have way overrated Shaka's coaching ability?
Shaka and his staff could not identify the lake of growth of his own recruits, or willfully disregarded the signs? This would be an issue with a mid-major coach.
Who's we?
If you rated Shaka as "guy who never effs it up," then yeah, you overrated him.
But it also means you didn't pay attention to Texas basketball from 2010 to 2016.
There's a reason Texas let him walk out of Austin for free, and it wasn't because he was too good at his job.
Quote from: Pakuni on December 29, 2025, 12:04:33 PMWho's we?
If you rated Shaka as "guy who never effs it up," then yeah, you overrated him.
But it also means you didn't pay attention to Texas basketball from 2010 to 2016.
There's a reason Texas let him walk out of Austin for free, and it wasn't because he was too good at his job.
"We" may have been presumptuous. Based upon fellow Scoopers and some analyst outside the program reaction to MU performance in relation to Shaka's resume, I made the leap to "we".
I guess I need to reevaluate my personal view of Shaka's head coaching ability. If this is the true version of Shaka, then I can say other MU HCs have been fired for better results.
As for Shaka "eff"ing up, I don't think any fan expects perfection. I was early to state that I liked Shaka's 'no transfer' strategy even when it didn't work, but was a sound strategy to make MU unique. But I'll admit I didn't envision MU being this bad.
Quote from: WhiteTrash on December 29, 2025, 11:47:04 AMI think this sentence defines a core disconnect on Scoop.
IMO, a NET 80 rating is "a bad season". Maybe NET 120 rating due to injuries.
This has gone beyond just "a bad season". There seems to be structural problems with Shaka's program. Kyle Neptune didn't have this level of issues at Villanova. (17-17 was his bottom). Shaka has had time to build his program and this is where we are at?
Yes, it definitely is worse than a run-of-the-mill "bad season." Not sure how anybody could define it as anything other than a sports disaster.
OTOH, unlike Kyle Neptune at Nova, Shaka delivered a significant amount of good before this sports disaster, so to many folks there's at least some room for nuance.
Quote from: MU82 on December 29, 2025, 01:26:35 PMYes, it definitely is worse than a run-of-the-mill "bad season." Not sure how anybody could define it as anything other than a sports disaster.
OTOH, unlike Kyle Neptune at Nova, Shaka delivered a significant amount of good before this sports disaster, so to many folks there's at least some room for nuance.
I would define it as a Gargantuan/🦣"sports disaster". There's no other way to see it. Pushing #200 NET? Cannot Happen at Marquette. We must respond from this debacle as quickly as humanly possible.
Quote from: MU82 on December 29, 2025, 01:26:35 PMYes, it definitely is worse than a run-of-the-mill "bad season." Not sure how anybody could define it as anything other than a sports disaster.
OTOH, unlike Kyle Neptune at Nova, Shaka delivered a significant amount of good before this sports disaster, so to many folks there's at least some room for nuance.
I agree the Neptune comparison was not apples to apples. He was just someone who jumped to mind as being universally perceived as in over his head in the BE as a coach, but was never this year's MU bad.
Aside from the 'just bad' or 'disaster' season debate, the bigger question in my head is how did Shaka get here? I follow the logic of Shaka being arrogant or so fully convinced that his system would work, but it still seems unlikely for such a successful, experienced and intelligent coach.
Some of the reasons put forth would make sense if Shaka was in his 5th year of being a HC, but that dismisses all his accomplishments. I'm probably wrong, but I still think something else is going on.
Quote from: MuggsyB on December 29, 2025, 02:06:51 PMI would define it as a Gargantuan/🦣"sports disaster". There's no other way to see it. Pushing #200 NET? Cannot Happen at Marquette. We must respond from this debacle as quickly as humanly possible.
We - as in Scoopers - have responded. Quickly and forcefully. Over and over again. Such as ...
Quote from: WhiteTrash on December 29, 2025, 02:28:37 PMI agree the Neptune comparison was not apples to apples. He was just someone who jumped to mind as being universally perceived as in over his head in the BE as a coach, but was never this year's MU bad.
Aside from the 'just bad' or 'disaster' season debate, the bigger question in my head is how did Shaka get here? I follow the logic of Shaka being arrogant or so fully convinced that his system would work, but it still seems unlikely for such a successful, experienced and intelligent coach.
Some of the reasons put forth would make sense if Shaka was in his 5th year of being a HC, but that dismisses all his accomplishments. I'm probably wrong, but I still think something else is going on.
It's a theory. We'll see!
https://x.com/RealRobReinhart/status/2005777417999196293?s=20
Dude please stop posting troll twitter accounts
Mark Few is saying college basketball is broken
https://x.com/TheoLawson_SR/status/2005480748841836878?s=20
The hero we've been waiting for is here
https://x.com/tedcruz/status/2005766922751860872?s=46
Quote from: JTJ3 on December 30, 2025, 08:01:10 AMDude please stop posting troll twitter accounts
(https://imgs.search.brave.com/T9619XSL5zqnQFNM_2uY4AF0-xZQ4CcarkzzICu3Ibg/rs:fit:860:0:0:0/g:ce/aHR0cHM6Ly9tZWRp/YS50ZW5vci5jb20v/QWVrM1BtbVBKT1FB/QUFBTS90aGUtcHJp/bmNlc3MtYnJpZGUt/d29yZHMuZ2lm.gif)
Quote from: Heisenberg on December 30, 2025, 08:18:15 AMMark Few is saying college basketball is broken
https://x.com/TheoLawson_SR/status/2005480748841836878?s=20
Hurley, Few, and Izzo agree.
harsh...because it's true:
https://x.com/trillydonovan/status/2005766451282772211
Quote from: tower912 on December 30, 2025, 08:23:22 AMHurley, Few, and Izzo agree.
Will Izzo be turning down that Greg and Dawn Williams NIL money?
Are these guys lobbying their universities - over which they all have tremendous influence - to make the necessary changes to bring this under control, or just complaining to the media?
Quote from: Heisenberg on December 30, 2025, 07:59:48 AMhttps://x.com/RealRobReinhart/status/2005777417999196293?s=20
Kuykendall typing up a pithy response as we speak.
Shaka can be shown the door by NYE please.
Quote from: PointWarrior on December 30, 2025, 08:22:45 PMShaka can be shown the door by NYE please.
One year from a NCAA team, and we have a thread about "showing Shaka the door". My, how quickly things change. It is likely that Shaka can see the handwriting on the wall next to the door. Has he dug a hole/chasm that will be extremely difficult to climb out of?